Jay Clemens
United Launch Alliance has requested an additional supply of Russian-made RD-180 rocket engines for use in the launch of Atlas VÂ rockets to space, Reuters reported Wednesday.
Andrea Shalal writes the Lockheed Martin–Boeing joint venture intends for the 20 Russian engine orders to fulfill customer demands for civil and commercial launch services while ULA’s development of a U.S.-built engine is underway.
ULA is working with Blue Origin and Aerojet Rocketdyne to build the U.S. engines, Reuters reports.
ULA spokesperson Jessica Rye told Reuters the company expects to receive the new batch of engines once deliveries of the previous order are completed.
Shalal reports the U.S. spending bill for fiscal year 2016 calls for an open competition for engines meant to carry U.S. military and intelligence satellites to space.
Congress previously banned Russian-built engine systems, the report said.
