KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., July 29, 2009 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it plans to bid as prime contractor for the Exploration Ground Launch Services (EGLS) program to provide ground systems integration and launch operations for Constellation, NASA’s next-generation space-exploration initiative.

EGLS will cover ground processing, assembly, testing, integration, launch and recovery services for Constellation’s Ares launch vehicles and Orion spacecraft.

“We will bring innovative approaches, decades of experience and best-of-industry elements to supporting NASA as the United States transitions from the space shuttle program to Constellation,” said John Elbon, Boeing vice president and EGLS team leader. “Cost-effective practices, proven in our space, defense and commercial airplane programs, will enable efficient and safe operations.”

Current Boeing support for NASA includes serving as prime contractor on the Checkout, Assembly and Payload Processing Services and International Space Station programs and as major subcontractor on the Space Shuttle Program. The company has received contracts from NASA to provide the upper stage of the Ares I crew launch vehicle and the vehicle’s instrument unit avionics.

Final proposals for EGLS are due Oct. 26 and NASA is expected to award the contract in April 2010.

Source: Boeing