NEW YORK — Boeing is exploring the sale of its space business, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The aerospace giant is evaluating the sale of its NASA business, including the troubled Starliner space vehicle and operations supporting the International Space Station, the publication reported today citing people familiar with the matter.

The Space Launch System program is not included in the discussion, the newspaper reported.

However, the WSJ said the potential effort is at an early stage and may not result in a deal.

This is the second time in recent months Boeing’s space industry has been mentioned in sales discussions.

In August, Reuters said Boeing and Lockheed Martin were in talks to sell their United Launch Alliance joint venture to Sierra Space.

Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Sierra Space and ULA have operations in North Alabama employing nearly 3,000 people in their space-related businesses.