Boeing is to broaden its co-operation with Japan's Mitsubishi on commercial space activities. The company has signed agreements with Mitsubishi Electric (Melco) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) covering co-operation in areas including space-based air traffic management and International Space Station re-supply.
Under the agreement with Melco, Boeing Satellite Systems will work closer with the Japanese manufacturer, including joint proposals for major satellite systems in Japan, Asia and elsewhere. The deal includes one firm order and five options for launches of Boeing's new Delta IV booster.
Melco will be a strategic supplier of major system components to Connexion by Boeing, the US company's venture into the broadband space-based communications market. "We will work with them to penetrate the Asian airline market and work regulatory issues in Asia," says Boeing.
Under a separate agreement, Boeing, Melco and MHI will explore opportunities in commercial space, including Space Station re-supply using the H-2 Transfer Vehicle (HTV) under development for the Japan National Space Development Agency. The first HTV demonstration flight is planned for 2004.
The agreement also covers commercial science experiments and space fabrication, but does not include co-operation on a crew rescue vehicle (CRV) for the Space Station.
Negotiations on Europe and Japan picking up development of the CRV after it was axed from NASA's budget are continuing between the space agencies, and have yet to involve industry, Boeing says.
Source: Flight International
