Concern Over Dependence on Russian Rocket Engines Grows

As tensions between Russia and the US move to new heights comes Senate testimony today that the US space program is critically dependent on Russia for rocket engines. If Russia were to stop shipments of rocket engines critical national-security missions could be delayed up to four years.

United Launch Alliance's (ULA), a joint venture between military industrial players Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) and The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA), has been handed the Pentagon contract without much competition and relies on a Russian RD-180 engine to get off the ground.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister threatened to cut off rocket engines sales

Russia isn’t above...