Without Russian rocket engines RD-180 USA will not be able to maintain assured access to space, believe in the Ministry of defense and the U.S. intelligence community, reports.

according to the Agency, eleven may, the head of the U.S. Department of defense Ashton Carter and the Director of National intelligence James Clapper sent a proper appeal to the Senate Committee on armed services.

in the letter they urged to change the law so that the American Corporation United Launch Alliance (ULA) could buy more rocket engines RD-180.

according to their statements, the only way the Department of defense will have the opportunity to provide "assured access to space" on a multi-year period.

previously, the U.S. air force was also requested to allow the supply of RD-180 engines that were ordered in Russia, but not paid.

The RD-180 used in the first stage of U.S. missiles Atlas, and as long as the U.S. industry does not produce analogues. Before Congress because of the events around Ukraine banned the use of RD-180 for new contracts for government launches, and has allocated 220 million dollars to help in the creation of new American engines.

As emphasized by Reuters, booster Delta 4 operating on American engines, too expensive to use. New American missile Vulcan to be completed before 2022.


Western countries since March 2014 several times already imposed penalties because Russia's position on Ukraine. The last case of the use of such practices were the limits imposed in March 2015, when expanded sanctions List Australia.

The list of Russian citizens and organizations who have fallen under the punishment - in the material of the Fins news

sections: Politics