NASA's largest contractor (Boeing) says focus on what went wrong

Associated Press | February 1, 2003 | BENNIE M. CURRIE

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CHICAGO (AP) - Boeing Co., NASA's largest space contractor, said it would do what it could to help officials determine what caused Saturday's tragedy aboard the space shuttle Columbia.

Chicago-based Boeing generates about $2 billion, or about 4 percent of its business, from its work on NASA's manned space operations, which includes the space shuttle and the international space station programs.

"We are doing everything possible to support NASA and the United Space Alliance in their investigation of (the) tragedy," the company said on its Web site.

A Boeing spokeswoman declined to comment on what effect the shuttle disaster might have on the company.

Columbia was built by Rockwell International, but Rockwell turned its shuttle program over to Boeing in the mid-1990s.

One analyst said it was too early to assess what effect Saturday's tragedy might have on Boeing's business because so little is known about what happened.

"They probably will stand down until they know what the problem is, but will continue with the program ... so you probably will not see an enormous financial impact," said Cai Von Rumohr, an aerospace analyst with SG Cowan Securities Inc. in Boston.

Boeing announced Jan. 30 it posted a $590 million profit in the fourth quarter thanks to a flourishing defense business and despite a slump in the aviation industry.

Boeing offered its condolences Saturday to the families of the seven astronauts killed.

"The men and women of the Boeing Company salute the bravery and dedication of the astronauts who lost their lives in the pursuit of discovery and science today," the company said on its Web site.

[_Jim]

NASA's largest contractor (Boeing) says focus on what went wrong

Well ... DUH!