A Race To Mars

Boeing once helped America beat the Soviet Union in a race to the moon. Now, in an era of dwindling space budgets, who will continue to carry the U.S. flag into space?

Two companies are jockeying to be that flag bearer, and the race is heating up. Representatives of Boeing have told reporters they want to beat SpaceX and reach Mars before Elon Musk does. Boeing Chief Executive Officer Dennis Muilenburg held a conference October 4 that explained the company’s vision of the future of human spaceflight, with Boeing being the frontrunner.

Like other space-oriented companies, Boeing sees the first battlefield of the 21st century space race playing out in the space tourism business. But Boeing admits the real test is the one Elon Musk set for his company: reaching Mars. However, Boeing believes it can beat SpaceX to the Red Planet.

“I’m convinced the first person to step foot on Mars will arrive there riding a Boeing rocket,” Boeing Chief Executive Officer Dennis Muilenburg said.