Having absorbed both Douglas and McDonnell, Boeing is not only the world's leading aerospace company, but also the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined. Additionally, Boeing designs and manufactures electronic systems, rotorcraft, defense systems, guided missiles, space satellites, launch vehicles and advanced communication systems. And, of course, as a major service provider to NASA, Boeing operates the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. At the moment we write this (2008), the Boeing company has customers in nearly 100 countries around the world. However, the European Airbus company is determined to take Boeings place!