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Boeing To Prepare New Science Components For International Space
Station

ST. LOUIS, June 3, 2003 - Holding the promise of expanded
opportunities for scientific research, two key new components of the
International Space Station have arrived in Florida for flight
processing by Boeing [NYSE: BA] under its contract with NASA.

The Node-2 module, built for the European Space Agency by Alenia
Spazio in Italy, arrived yesterday by cargo plane at the Shuttle
Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. and was
offloaded. 

Over the weekend, the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) called "Kibo,"
or "Hope," arrived at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., by
cargo ship. 

This summer, Boeing NASA Systems will support the Node-2 and the JEM
in a major integrated test with other ISS systems. Boeing works
closely with NASA and its 16 international partners to ensure
components are properly integrated.

The integrated test will verify that the JEM, Node-2 and US Lab
(simulated) systems perform well together in their on-orbit
configuration. Shortly after testing, both modules will be stored
until the remainder of the pre-launch processing is completed in
preparation for launch. 

Developed for the National Space Development Agency of Japan by
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the Kibo JEM is an experimental work
area that weighs 32,000-pounds. It will become the largest
pressurized module flown today, larger than the station's current
laboratory, Destiny. 

Critical to the continued expansion of the ISS, Node-2 will deliver
data, electrical power, air, water and heating to new work areas of
the station after its scheduled delivery. The module will connect the
US laboratory Destiny, the European Columbus laboratory, the
Centrifuge Accommodation Module, and the JEM. It will also be the
attachment point for the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, the Japanese
H II Transfer Vehicle and it will carry a docking adapter for the
space shuttle. 

The nodes are interconnecting elements for the laboratory and
habitation mod ules. When completed, ISS will have three nodes. Node
1, called Unity, developed and manufactured by Boeing, was launched
in December 1998. It connects the Russian Zarya module with the
Destiny. 

As prime contractor to NASA, Boeing NASA Systems has played a key
role in design, development and operation of the ISS. In August 2002
Boeing continued its tradition of preparing NASA space flight
payloads by winning the CAPPS contract having held the predecessor,
the Payload Ground Operations Contract.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is
one of the world's largest space and defense businesses.
Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a
$25 billion business. It provides systems solutions to its global
military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading
provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the
world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest
satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based
communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile
defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch
services. 

###

Contacts:
Brian Nelson
Boeing Florida Operations
321-264-8581

or

Ed Memi
Boeing NASA Systems
(281) 226-4029

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