But experts say Boeing’s resources may help Teledesic overcome the hurdles. “In the past there has been a lot of skepticism,” said Marco Caceres, an analyst with the Teal Group Corp., a Fairfax, Va., consulting firm. “But now with Boeing, they have a whole lot more credibility . . . because Boeing is one of the world’s biggest players in the commercial [satellite] launch business.”

Experts say the technology is so complex that the program simply needs time to mature. Analyst Steven Zaloga, who follows the missile industry for the Teal Group defense consulting firm, said he was not surprised that the Pentagon panels gave the troubled THAAD a green light. “People have to be more patient with it,” Zaloga said. “New technology doesn’t follow schedules real tightly.”