It seems that India already has made a good name in the big league of space missions. Recently, to contribute in the US' manned space missions, an Indian-born American's company tied up with aircraft manufacturer Boeing.

The company, PlanetSpace's chairperson is New Delhi-born Chirinjeev Kathuria, a 42 year old whos started the venture to provide advanced technology services for space missions. PlanetSpace already has an association with advanced defense technology systems manufacturer Lockheed Martin and advanced space systems provider Alliant Techsystems (ATK). Now it has formed a new association with Boeing, with the motive to compete for a $3 billion commercial re-supply services (CRS) contract to ship cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) after 2011, as National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) proposes to decommission its current space shuttle program.

Kathuria, whose company is a start-up, interested in commercial use of space, reported, "We are thrilled to add Boeing to round out our extraordinary team."

He further added, "This team brings together technical innovations, leveraging more than 50 years of relevant experience using flight-qualified US-built Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Motors, Athena launch vehicles, proven space vehicle technology and on-orbit operations."

The role of Boeing included providing of cargo carrier development, cargo integration services, and ISS integration and operations support. The NASA program is to serve the ISS by signing cargo-delivery contracts. Originally, it was supposed to support start-ups and smaller entrepreneurs.

However, now this focus is changed to some extent on Boeing's development as one of the teams. As of now, Boeing serves as the prime contractor for NASA for the international space station and is part of a joint venture with Lockheed that supervises flights of the space shuttle.

Brewster Shaw, vice president and general manager of Boeing's Space Exploration division informed, "This CRS contract is an important part of ensuring the long-term viability and value of the ISS. Boeing is pleased to be a part of the PlanetSpace CRS team. The Boeing Company, as a partner in the design, development and integration of the ISS, shares NASA's interest in ensuring this national resource and world-class laboratory is used to its full capability and potential."