Boeing, Partners Sued in Satellite Venture

Boeing Co. and its partners in a fledgling satellite-launch business have been sued for $500 million by a rival. Commercial Space Management Co. claims in its suit that it had exclusive contracts with rocket makers RSC-Energia of Russia and NPO-Yuzhnoye of Ukraine to sell their rockets before they allied with Boeing. Seattle-based Boeing is the lead partner in Sea Launch Co., a company formed to launch satellites from a converted oil drilling rig that will be towed to the South Pacific. Sea Launch is based in Long Beach. Commercial Space Management is seeking $500 million in damages plus unspecified punitive damages from the partners for breach of contract, fraud and deceit. The Denver company filed its suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court.