On the same side

How Boeing-suppliers team played a role in Space Shuttle's success

BY KATHERINE SOPRANOS

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. 

For Return to Flight, Boeing—a major subcontractor to the United Space Alliance in the Shuttle program—partnered with more than 150 suppliers to help achieve all program requirements. NASA has strict mission-critical quality, process and safety requirements to certify flight readiness. "The future of NASA's Human Space Flight program rode on a successful STS-114 mission," said Russ Carroll, Boeing NASA Systems director of Supplier Management and Procurement. "This demanded that we select proven suppliers to meet our customer and mission requirements."

"Just as Boeing puts a premium on workforce diversity, suppliers add to this diversity and make the whole program more innovative and adaptable," said Mike Elsperman, Boeing Space Shuttle Program chief of staff. "Their unique perspectives and ideas ultimately produce positive business results and a healthier and stronger program."

Why does Boeing, with its depth of employee technical expertise, turn to outside companies to accomplish customer mission requirements? "As a company, we've made a conscious decision to move up the value chain offering best-of-industry solutions to our customers," said Norma Clayton, IDS vice president, Supplier Management and Procurement. "The way we do this is by focusing on what we do best—product development and design, technology insertion and systems integration. We partner with suppliers whose capabilities complement ours, which creates best-value solutions and allows Boeing and its suppliers to expand and grow their markets."

Most Columbia Accident Investigation Board recommendations focused on a safer vehicle and further elimination of risk from flying debris. Boeing and its suppliers addressed key CAIB expectations, making mission-specified modifications and improvements, including changes to the external tank, additional debris analysis, on-orbit tile repair testing and on-orbit damage inspection of the Thermal Protection System. In addition, the Orbiter Boom Sensor System was developed to allow the shuttle to inspect itself for damage while in orbit. Also, cameras were added for more on-orbit visual inspections and assessments.

Curtiss-Wright Controls Inc., the Charlotte, N.C.–based motion-control segment of Curtiss-Wright Corp. and a long-time Boeing supplier, provided numerous flight-critical components for Discovery. Among its contributions: the Manipulator Positioning Mechanism Rotary Actuator, whose robotic arm capabilities enable on-orbit tile inspection on the shuttle's underside.

"During the liftoff of Discovery, it was really exciting to Curtiss-Wright and its employees, because we had a little piece of history in the making," said Dave Adams, Curtiss-Wright Controls president.

"The combined team that included Boeing, NASA, contractors and our partners all share a common goal to send our best and brightest to explore the wonders of space and to bring them home safely," Carroll said. "This mission accomplished our goal." 

katherine.sopranos@boeing.com