An estimated 600 million people-one fifth of the world's population-watched as U.S. astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong took their first steps on the moon on July 20, 1969. Evidence of this historic occasion remains imprinted on the moon's powdery surface.
The successful completion of the mission was a defining moment in American history, as well as in the history of The Boeing Company. Many of the major components used on the Apollo 11 mission-from the giant Saturn V rocket to the Surveyor 1 lunar spacecraft-were
developed and built by companies that would later join Boeing. The mission to the moon began in 1961 with U.S. President John F. Kennedy's bold vision: Put a man on the moon by the end of the decade. Now, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration aims for new frontiers with a Vision for Space Exploration that aims to complete the International Space Station by 2010 and develop a new manned exploration spacecraft called the Crew Exploration Vehicle. As the first craft to explore beyond Earth orbit since the Apollo days, the CEV will conduct its first human mission no later than 2015. NASA will also develop a new generation of landers, rockets, Earth departure stages and lunar habitats as part of the nation's plans to return to the moon by 2020. The NASA Constellation Program, the program to return to moon, will allow astronauts to stay much longer on the lunar surface with an eye to future missions beyond to destinations as far away as Mars.
developed and built by companies that would later join Boeing. The mission to the moon began in 1961 with U.S. President John F. Kennedy's bold vision: Put a man on the moon by the end of the decade. Now, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration aims for new frontiers with a Vision for Space Exploration that aims to complete the International Space Station by 2010 and develop a new manned exploration spacecraft called the Crew Exploration Vehicle. As the first craft to explore beyond Earth orbit since the Apollo days, the CEV will conduct its first human mission no later than 2015. NASA will also develop a new generation of landers, rockets, Earth departure stages and lunar habitats as part of the nation's plans to return to the moon by 2020. The NASA Constellation Program, the program to return to moon, will allow astronauts to stay much longer on the lunar surface with an eye to future missions beyond to destinations as far away as Mars.
As one of NASA's largest contractors, Boeing hopes to play a key role in working with its customer on this new vision. Steps already have been taken to position Boeing as a leader in future space exploration. Space Exploration division is charged with setting priorities and directing the development of systems and related technologies to support NASA's plans to return to the moon by 2020. Boeing has a major role in producing the upper stage and avionics for the Ares I crew launch vehicle. Boeing Space Exploration hopes to apply the company's unique network-centric capabilities and expertise in integrating large systems like the International Space Station. At the same time, SE will work with NASA as an industry partner to better define and develop the systems needed to return to the moon and go beyond to Mars.
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