A place in space

Imagine living in one of the most inhospitable environments in the world for the past five years while also constructing your home, having a full-time job and conducting science experiments. Then you can fully appreciate the accomplishment of NASA and its Boeing industry team in keeping the International Space Station running smoothly with a continuous human presence since Nov. 2, 2000.

ISS crews have maintained the program's goals and objectives even in the aftermath of the Space Shuttle Columbia accident in February 2003. That event curtailed assembly and limited ISS logistics resupply to Russian Progress cargo shipments until the Shuttle returned to flight in July. The next Space Shuttle logistics mission will occur no earlier than May 2006.

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A Site to See

When Ron Marcotte took over in late 2004 as Integrated Defense Systems site leader in Long Beach, Calif., one of his first orders of business was to share some disappointing news. He had to tell his Airlift and Tanker Programs team that they would not be rare back-to-back winners of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

Just qualifying for a site visit by Baldrige examiners is a significant accomplishment for those bold enough to apply for the prestigious award.

But in Long Beach, not winning has become the exception.

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In it for the long run

What began as an industrial participation agreement 17 years ago today continues to grow into a world-class aviation solutions provider for civil and defense aircraft operators in the Middle East.

Linking Asia, Europe and Africa, Alsalam Aircraft Company is strategically located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula. It partners with The Boeing Company through Boeing Industrial Technology Group (BITG, a separate Boeing entity that invests in and supports the Saudi Arabian aerospace industry), Saudi Arabian Airlines, Gulf Investment Corporation, Saudi Advanced Industries Company and the National Industrialization Company. Privately owned Alsalam has grown its joint venture into a profitable and highly skilled maintenance repair and overhaul facility.

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On the same side

It might be hard for the average person to grasp the complexities that permit the Space Shuttle to fly. For Boeing NASA Systems, however, it's quite simple: Teamwork—specifically, the teamwork of Boeing and its supplier partners for NASA.

Since the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy in February 2003, NASA and the industry were determined to return the shuttle to flight and restore public confidence in safe space flight. NASA's Return to Flight mission, STS-114, aboard Space Shuttle Discovery this summer showcased the importance of Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems supplier strategy, where targeting best-in-industry suppliers and forming close partnerships with them gives Boeing a competitive edge. 

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