The competition to supply private commercial space transport services to NASA is heating up, as The Boeing Co. [BA] joined a PlanetSpace team that already included Lockheed Martin Corp. [LMT] and Alliant Technsystems Inc. [ATK].

That big-time PlanetSpace team faces competition from Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, and from Orbital Sciences Corp. [ORB], which have received some incentive seed money from NASA as they strive to produce cargo ships for logistics missions to the International Space Station.

Later, some private commercial transport may be developed to carry humans to the station.

NASA needs space transport services because President Bush ordered the space shuttle fleet to stop flying in 2010, even though the replacement Orion-Ares spaceship system won’t be ready for manned flight until 2015.

To fill that half-decade gap, NASA is negotiating a contract with Russia to provide Soyuz spacecraft to carry crew members to the space station. But given frigid relations between the United States and Russia, NASA might well welcome a private U.S.-based firm offering commercial crew-carrying transport services, if one could be developed.

PlanetSpace asserts that its cargo carrying craft, beginning in 2011, would provide 350 new jobs in Florida and add $300 million to the Florida economy.

Florida stands to lose thousands of jobs as the space shuttles cease flying.

PlanetSpace will be the team overall prime contractor, to manage the contract.

Meanwhile, ATK will provide the Athena III launch vehicle and ground processing. And Lockheed and Boeing will develop, produce and operate modular Orbital Transfer Vehicles (OTV) as the cargo carriers to the space station.

The two companies have been involved in the space shuttle program. They each own half of United Launch Alliance, the prime shuttle contractor.

Chirinjeev Kathuria, chairman of PlanetSpace, said, "This team brings together technical innovations leveraging more than 50 years of relevant experience using flight-qualified U.S.-built space shuttle solid rocket motors, Athena launch vehicles, proven space vehicle technology and on-orbit operations."

Boeing’s role on the team includes providing cargo carrier development, cargo integration services, and space station integration and operations support.

Boeing, "as a partner in the design, development and integration as a partner in the design, development and integration of the [space station], shares NASA’s interest in ensuring this national resource and world-class laboratory is used to its full capability and potential," Brewster Shaw, vice president and general manager of the Boeing Space Exploration division, said.

ATK provides the Athena III launch vehicle for the PlanetSpace team. The first stage is a 2.5 segment derivative of the space shuttle four-segment solid rocket booster (SRB). The second stage is the ATK CASTOR(R)120, utilized on the Athena I, Athena II and Taurus I launch vehicles. That foundation is topped by an ATK CASTOR 30 third stage and an orbit adjust module.

"By using existing hardware that is U.S.-built and has demonstrated performance, we shorten the development timeline," said Kent Rominger, vice president of advanced programs for ATK Launch Systems.

Lockheed is developing the Orbital Transfer Vehicles for PlanetSpace.

The PlanetSpace consortium continues discussions with Space Florida on a nonexclusive basis for Space Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Florida is a desired location as long as satisfactory financial incentives are agreed to, according to PlanetSpace.

Space Florida drives aerospace economic development in the state and serves as a catalyst for space-related business development, education, spaceport operations, research and development, workforce development and financing.

"Space Florida has worked with PlanetSpace to facilitate their needs during the RFP proposal phase," stated Steve Kohler, President, Space Florida. "Through the Teaming Agreement we have established the parameters of support and development we can assist with for a planned future commercial launch site near Kennedy Space Center, if they win the bid."

The team’s ISS Commercial Resupply program provides 100 percent United States manufactured assets which saves and creates hundreds of U.S. jobs, according to PlanetSpace.

Public officials in Florida have been highly concerned that commercial space launches should lift off from Florida, instead of from other locations such as Wallops Island, Va., the West Coast or foreigh launch pads.

Space Florida recognizes new jobs and economic impact exceeding $300 million and is committed to launch site construction with PlanetSpace serving as the anchor tenant, according to PlanetSpace.

Additional team participants include PTC, SPACEHAB and MEHTA Engineering.

PlanetSpace and Boeing both are headquartered in Chicago, home town of Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, the Democratic presidential candidate.