Russian Sanctions Are Affecting Space Projects
Europe helps Russia get banned US electronics for ExoMars project, TASS
“Russia has run into difficulties as regards the obtaining US-made component parts for its research equipment to be used in the ExoMars inter-planetary project, the launch of which has been scheduled for 2016, Oleg Korablyov, a Deputy Director General of the Space Research Institute in charge of materiel for ExoMars told reporters on Wednesday. “The sanctions have had a strong impact on us, since we didn’t manage to buy some component parts (of US manufacture) for ExoMars,” he said, admitting along with it that the Russian side had bought the bulk of the elements needed during the 2016 mission in advance.”
What really gets me are these old and moldy congressmen and senators in congress. BOTH sides seem to think they can simply pass a law and stop <insert problem=”” here=””>. Newsflash, they do not control our minds and our work. People want to go to space and NASA is not needed. The United States is not needed.
Yes our universities pump out awesome engineers but as we churn out more talent and this talent has no where to go – they will go overseas and build something better.
Also groups and organizations will find ways to circumvent (perceived) unjust laws – its the American way. I am not condoning what has been done; however, what I am saying is that just like Adam Smith and the invisible hand, the market will operate and correct itself.
The US does not want direct confrontation with Russia, however some response to the invasions of Crimea and Ukraine was needed. Collaborative space activities such as ISS are usually exempt from sanctions.
At the risk of dancing close to the edge: I agree that some action was needed, but it should have been a European action.