Russia upgrades rocket for US manned missions

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Russia upgrading booster rocket for NASA manned missions

Russia is modernizing a booster which U.S. space agency NASA would use for manned flights, a Russian rocket engine manufacturer said Wednesday.

“We are adjusting the RD-180 engine for manned missions,” Executive Director of NPO Energomash company Vladimir Solntsev told reporters, adding the adaptation work started in early 2012.

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[Ashotep]

You know I think this is great considering how we get along in other areas. I hope it doesn't change and we can keep our political differences out of it. If we do together we can make great accomplishments in space. Which I think is important to us both and benefit us equally.

[Waspie_Dwarf]

You know I think this is great considering how we get along in other areas. I hope it doesn't change and we can keep our political differences out of it. If we do together we can make great accomplishments in space. Which I think is important to us both and benefit us equally.

I agree totally with your sentiments and that is certainly the case with the ISS. This needs to be seen in context though, it is not really about international cooperation, this is purely commercial in nature.

When the Atlas rocket was modified to become the Atlas 5 it need more powerful first stage engines. Rather than develop new ones RD-180's were purchased from Russia.

With both Sierra Nevada and Boeing selecting the Atlas 5 is the launcher for their respective vehicles under NASA Commercial Crew Program it makes sense for NPO Energomash to "man rate" the RD-180.

[Ashotep]

I guess its all about the money but considering the cost of developing one of our own it was probably the cheapest way out.