McCain Wants Sanctions on Roscosmos
Opening Statement by Sen. McCain: Hearing on USAF Posture
“Similarly, ending the use of Russian rocket engines remains a top priority for this committee. Department leaders have correctly drawn attention to Russia’s growing development of military capabilities to threaten U.S. national security in space. And yet, the greatest risk in this regard is that Vladimir Putin continues to hold our national security space launch capability in the palm of his hand through the Department’s continued dependence on Russian rocket engines. .. And yet, the Treasury Department remains unwilling to sanction Roscosmos, the Russian parent company of the manufacturer of the RD-180, which is controlled by two sanctioned cronies of Vladimir Putin.”
McCain, James Trade Barbs Over RD-180 Engines, Space Policy Online
“[Secretary of the Air Force (SecAF) Deborah Lee] James insisted she does not know who makes money from RD-180 sales and the Treasury Department determined that purchasing them does not violate the sanctions. In her opening statement, she said the sooner an RD-180 prohibition comes into effect, the more disruptive it will be and the more it will cost — $1.5 to $5 billion — and none of those costs are included in the Air Force’s FY2017 budget request.”
The Recent 2016 merger of United Space Rocket Corporation USRC+ Roscosmos to form Roscosmos State Corporation now owns NPO Energomash subsidiary. Dmitry Rogozin remember him he threaten cuttoff RD-180 rocket engine back in may 2014 for military satellites launchs scaried DOD. He and Sergei Chemezov board members of Roscosmos State Corporation part of Vladimir Putin circle.I just don’t understand why state department wouldn’t declare its sanction violation because of the recent merger? Why John Mccain want to end our dependence on RD-180 rocket engine for Military satellites launchs. Because United States of America should not be held at ranson by Vladimir Putin Russia threat of RD-180 rocket engine cutoff to dictate our foreign policy. We should use only 100% American built rocket engine soon as possible!
I suggest NASA and DOD invest more in modern rocket propulsion technology as proposed by several US companies including SX and BO so we can out-compete the capitalist Bolsheviks. Wait, we cannot do that because we are spending _billions_ to restart manufactuing of 40-year-old SSME and SRB designs.
Thank You Daniel for making comment felt very lonely 1 day without anybody making single comment appreciate you writing one comment thank you again.
I second that motion. Yeah, people (at least, I) have been focusing on the F9 launch yesterday… There may be some “RD-180 issue” fatigue going on. Personally, I am tired of reading the same points over and over. The EELV story is a fascinating one and should be required reading for anyone in this industry. Trust me, I read this and other news sites daily, hoping for a new “tune” every once in a while. But the station just keeps playing the same “oldies.” =)
Probably because the subject has been beat into obviousness.
“SecAFJames insisted she does not know who makes money from RD-180 sales”
Seriously?
Senator Mccain clearly stated to Secretary Air Force Debra lee James that Dmitry Rogozin and Sergei Chemezov board members of Roscosmos State Corporation directly link with NPO Energomash subsidiary. I think those 2 persons defintely making money from RD-180 rocket engine sales how she could be so ignorant about this recent merger that changes everything that screams Sanction violation so loudly to everyone.
It seems odd to me that if the main concern is not risk of sabotage or other concern with military use, but rather who is getting government money, that McCain continues to target just the RD-180 without making issue of the AJ 26-62 (AKA refurbished NK-33) or RD-181.