Boeing made it to space, taking one small step closer to SpaceX — and a new revenue stream

Two years behind schedule… Over the weekend, jet giant Boeing finally docked an uncrewed Starliner capsule full of cargo at the International Space Station. Refresher: in 2014, NASA chose Boeing and SpaceX as its two rocket partners after it stopped making its own shuttles. Since then Boeing has struggled while SpaceX has taken off:

• Third time’s a charm: Boeing failed in its first two attempts to send Starliners to the ISS. While the latest docking was successful, it still needs to fix some glitches before NASA crews can hitch a ride.
• (Space)X Factor: Meanwhile, privately owned SpaceX has flown five NASA missions, astronauts and all. SpaceX is reportedly raising new funding to keep its lead intact — at a valuation of $127B (twice publicly listed Boeing’s market cap).

From takeoff to liftoff… Boeing’s better known for planes of course: Boeing and Airbus produce 90% of the world’s jetliners. But Boeing’s jet biz has struggled since 2019, when it grounded its 737 MAX aircraft after a pair of fatal crashes. While Boeing has been losing market share to Airbus, it’s also invested in new divisions like its space program.

• Closer to mission control: Boeing’s moving its HQ from Chicago to the DC suburbs to be closer to regulators, lawmakers, and partners like NASA.