SEATTLE, October 3, 1996 -- The Boeing Company announced today that five leading contractors involved in the International Space Station have united to form an international operations and utilization team.

The team has begun the process of identifying and developing ways to help NASA and the international partner space agencies manage the day-to-day operations and utilization of the station once it is in orbit.

"The recently released U.S. National Space Policy promotes economic competitiveness for the United States and encourages international cooperation. The International Operations and Utilization Team embraces these key principles," said Allen B. Ashby, vice president-Space Systems for Business Development, Boeing Defense & Space Group.

"We are committed to simplifying access to the International Space Station, as well as reducing overall Station operating costs."

Boeing, Alenia Spazio of Italy, Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG of Germany, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan, and Spar Aerospace of Canada each are developing and integrating major International Space Station elements under contract to their respective space agencies. The team will be adding a Russian industry partner in the near future. The team members believe that the synergy of their respective skills can facilitate and promote cost-effective, commercial use of the International Space Station.

As the station moves towards completion, team members will propose to their respective space agencies to provide operations and utilization services.

"It is anticipated that any team member receiving funds from its respective space agency for service will spend those funds within the country of that agency," Ashby said.

The services will include support to the agency; necessary capabilities to support logistics and resupply; mission operations support; engineering support for mission and station operations; and payload development, operations and processing expertise. Commercial initiatives in these areas also will be pursued.

Boeing is the prime contractor to NASA for the U.S. elements of the space station, responsible for integrating the many components of the complex project.