Boeing plans to bid for Nasa’s exploration ground launch services (EGLS) programme to provide the ground systems integration and launch operations for Constellation, Nasa’s next-generation space-exploration initiative.

The EGLS programme will cover ground processing, assembly, testing, integration, launch and recovery services for Constellation’s Ares launch vehicles and Orion spacecraft.

The contract will support Nasa’s transition from the space shuttle programme into the Constellation programme.

Nasa is expected to award the contract in April 2010.