RD-180 engines are being delivered for Atlas-3 carrier rockets

Published: 4/13/2000

Although Washington is threatening Moscow with virtual expulsion from the international space market for their continuing collaboration with Iran, this has not stopped US corporations from using Russian rocket technologies and products. Russia has been involved in several aerospace ventures with Iran over the last few years and has recently announced an agreement in principle to assemble, under licence, 100 Tu-334s in Iran. Despite the draft law on economic sanctions against foreign companies suspected of providing Iran with advanced technologies, the US space industry does not intend to lag behind in developments. On 14th April, the first launch of an American Atlas-3 carrier rocket, equipped with Russian RD-180 engines, will be conducted. The spacecraft is to carry a commercial telecommunications satellite into orbit. According to the conditions of the contract between Lockheed-Martin and Energomash, announced last year, 101 engines are to be delivered over the next ten years. These engines will provide 80% of all commercial launches by the USA over this period. As the Russian engines are more advanced and cost less than their western counterparts, there are considerable commercial pressures on the US aerospace industry to go against the wishes of Washington. www.concise.org 26th August 1999: Iranian and Russians continue to develop aerospace cooperation 5th March 1999: Rocket sales

Article ID: 1586