Voronezh plant to help Boeing design a space transport

The Voronezh-based Orbita company will develop energy converters for Boeing's future space cargo vehicle, the regional administration announced this week.

A Boeing delegation arrived in Voronezh on January 14 to familiarize themselves with Orbita's potential capabilities. Orbita had previously won a tender to develop and manufacture electrical equipment for the future U.S. spacecraft design intended to replace the discontinued space shuttle program.

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Orbita's bid was selected based on four criteria: technical aspect, management, development cost, and the developer's track record, according to Eric Gietl, the director of Boeing's aerospace electrical systems division. Gietl’s comments came during the January 16 meeting between the U.S. delegation and the Voronezh Region administration.

Under a contract signed by Orbita Chief Executive Officer Oleg Romanov and Boeing Procurement Agent Natalia Grigoryeva, the Voronezh company will develop and manufacture energy converters for the U.S. spacecraft's power supply systems.

Orbita was the only Russian company to bid in the tender. The Boeing project calls for the development of a future space transport system that would deliver crew and freight to orbit, dock to the International Space Station, and operate as an ISS segment.

Boeing's space division combines design, development, and production efforts in the interests of major U.S. space exploration initiatives.

First published in Russian in RIA Novosti.

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