Boeing to draw on expertise in aircraft operations, launch systems and rapid prototyping HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., May 31, 2012 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has been awarded an 18-month study contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to evaluate technologies for on-demand small satellite launch systems.
Under the Airborne Launch Assist Space Access (ALASA) contract, worth about $4.5 million, Boeing will analyze affordable, aircraft-based satellite launch platforms that can quickly deploy small satellites or payloads of up to 100 pounds into any required orbit.
“We will apply experience from across Boeing in aircraft and launch system development and operation, as well as our proven rapid prototyping skills, to offer an innovative analysis to support this important DARPA mission,” said Steve Johnston, director of Advanced Space Exploration for Boeing Phantom Works. “ALASA will expand our knowledge of launch system solutions that can be integrated into existing operational aircraft with minimal modifications.”
The goal of ALASA is to develop a significantly less expensive approach for routinely launching small satellites, with a goal of at least threefold reduction in costs compared with current military and U.S. commercial launch costs.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world’s largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 61,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.
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Contact:
Cheryl Sampson
Phantom Works
Office: +1 714-934-9373
Mobile: +1 714-330-8021
cheryl.a.sampson@boeing.com
Deborah VanNierop
Phantom Works
Office: +1 314-232-1624
Mobile: +1 210-454-2656
deborah.a.vannierop@boeing.com
