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Boeing and Lockheed Martin are reportedly considering selling their space launch business, United Launch Alliance (ULA), to Sierra Space, a subsidiary of Sierra Nevada Corporation. The discussions are in the preliminary stages, according to Reuters. ULA, which competes with SpaceX for government payload launches, has previously attempted to sell its rocket business without success.
Sierra Nevada Corporation recently secured a $13 billion contract to develop the federal government's new Survivable Airborne Operations System using five Boeing 747-8 aircraft. Acquiring ULA could align with Sierra Nevada's strategy to market its Dream Chaser space plane and support the space station project it is developing in collaboration with Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin. The potential sale of ULA is estimated to be valued between $2 billion and $3 billion.
In parallel developments, NASA officials are evaluating options for returning two test pilot astronauts from an extended mission. Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore may not return via Boeing's Starliner crew capsule due to ongoing issues with the spacecraft. A decision on the use of the Starliner must be made by the end of August. Alternatives being considered include extending Williams and Wilmore's stay on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of a new four-member crew arriving in September via a SpaceX rocket. This plan would involve sending only two new astronauts on the SpaceX mission, who would then return with Williams and Wilmore after their six-month tour.
