The
Russians responded fast
Just
yesterday, a friend who read the article "Cold War 2.0: Dangerous games from Washington's 'hawks'"
pointed that "Country that still rely on Russian engines to
deliver communication satellites into orbit know pretty well whom
they are dealing with."
Unfortunately,
Washington's "hawks" proceed in fast moves that show a
willing to take the risk of the unthinkable:
“US
lawmakers in the House of Representatives have approved $220 million
in funding to help the Pentagon replace the Russian rocket engines
used in its satellite launches.”
“The measure, which faces opposition from the
Obama administration, calls on the US military to use an
American-built engine for launching military satellites into orbit.
The US relies on Russian-made RD-180 and NK-33 engines to launch
military and civilian satellites into space.”
“SpaceX
argued that ULA [a joint-venture between US aerospace giants Lockheed
Martin and Boeing] has been buying RD-180 engines from NPO
Energomash, Russia's leading developer and manufacturer of liquid
propellant, which it said is subject to the control of Russia’s
Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin.”
“After
hearing testimonies from US State, Treasury, and Commerce
departments, US Court of Federal Claims Judge Susan Braden ruled the
purchases did not violate US sanctions against Russia and lifted a
temporary ban that prevented US firms from buying the Russian rocket
engines.”
“However,
following the ruling, Rogozin said Russia would stop supplying the
rocket engines to the US, retaliating against Washington’s
sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine crisis.”
"'We
are very concerned about continuing to develop high-tech projects
with such an unreliable partner as the United States, which
politicizes everything,' Rogozin said."
"In
an email statement, US Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-New Jersey) said
Washington 'must not be wholly dependent on Russia to” launch
military satellites into orbit and should focus on the “development
of a next generation rocket engine.'"
Source:
Comments
Post a Comment