How Boeing and Millennium are Scaling Space Production

Boeing and its subsidiary Millennium Space Systems are scaling production and expanding their combined satellite portfolio to deliver on current commitments and meet rising demand across defence and commercial markets.

Millennium has launched 16 satellites and claims a 100% success rate on its website. “This is about more than one product,” says Tony Gingiss, CEO of Millennium Space Systems. 

“We are building the production depth, common architecture and capacity to scale with demand. That includes expanding into mission areas where customers want more capability, while staying focused on execution and delivery across the backlog already in front of us.”

Scaling space production with Millennium

In a press release, Boeing says its effort with Millennium includes Resolute, a new mid-class satellite platform designed for missions that need more capability than a traditional small satellite can provide, with greater speed and flexibility than a typical large satellite program.

Boeing is targeting 26 satellite deliveries in 2026 as it works to increase output across its space portfolio.

Kay Sears, Vice President and General Manager of Boeing Space, Intelligence & Weapons Systems, adds: “We’re aligning our space business to meet a market that is moving faster and asking for more flexibility.

“That means increasing production throughput, broadening the portfolio and giving customers more options for how they field and scale capability over time.”

Boeing says the companies’ production focus is being supported by investments in common products, repeatable manufacturing approaches and integration across Boeing and Millennium products.

The global aerospace and defence landscape

McKinsey says the global aerospace and defence landscape has entered a period of significant innovation, disruption and demand growth. 

Most aerospace and defence manufacturers are struggling to keep up with rising demand and rapid technological change, the consulting firm says. 

Boeing’s manufacturing locations

Boeing is a global aerospace company that designs, manufactures, and supports commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems. It is a manufacturer that supports NASA’s Artemis II spacecraft. 

At Boeing’s Everett Site in Washington, US, the company produces the 747, 767, 777 and the 787 airplanes. The site has one of the largest manufacturing buildings in the world. 

Boeing also operates a 737 factory in Renton, Washington, which Boeing says on its website is “the most efficient airplane factory in the world.” The P-8, a Navy submarine hunter and maritime patrol aircraft and a military derivative of the 737-800, is also built at Renton.

At Boeing’s facility in South Carolina, full cycle production of 787 Dreamliner production happens.

Boeing’s recovery strategy

Boeing’s manufacturing processes were under continuous scrutiny as a result of two deadly crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia in 2018, involving its 737 Max jet and a separate incident in 2024 involving a 737 Max. 

Boeing’s CEO, Kelly Ortberg, told employees in 2024: “We need to be clear-eyed about the work we face and realistic about the time it will take to achieve key milestones on the path to recovery.”

However, Boeing’s recovery is gathering pace and it is improving aircraft deliveries. The Financial Times recently reported that Boeing delivered more planes than its European rival Airbus in a quarter for the first time since 2023. The company has also focused on digital development, introducing AI tools to its factories. 

Boeing’s Chief Technology Officer, Lane Ballard, says: “We are focusing on technologies that deliver measurable results, including digital engineering, model-based systems engineering, autonomy, sustainable materials, quantum computing and advanced manufacturing.”

Key people at Boeing

Kelly is Boeing’s CEO, a position he has held since August of 2024. He began his career in 1983 as an engineer at Texas Instruments, before spending over three decades at Rockwell Collins. He recently accompanied US President Donald Trump on a state visit to China, which resulted in the state ordering 200 jets from Boeing.

Jay Malave, Boeing’s CFO, leads Boeing's financial strategy, performance, reporting and long-range business planning, as well as investor relations, treasury, controller and audit operations.

Uma Amuluru is Boeing’s Chief Human Resources Officer and is responsible for talent planning, global talent acquisition, learning and development, compensation and benefits, employee and labor relations, performance management and culture initiatives.