Florida gets key Boeing program office

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - Boeing said Monday that it plans to consolidate its Commercial Crew program office, manufacturing and operations at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Boeing, in partnership with Space Florida, will use the Orbiter Processing Facility-3 to manufacture, assemble, and test the company's Crew Space Transportation spacecraft. The 15-year use permit with Space Florida is the latest step Kennedy is making as the center transitions from a historically government-only launch complex to a multi-user spaceport. (Sources: multiple, including PRNewswire, Brevard Times, 10/31/11) Gulf Coast note: Boeing has multiple operations in the Gulf Coast; NASA operates facilities at Stennis Space Center, Miss., and Michoud Assembly Facility, New Orleans.