Russia continues shipping giant rocket engines to US (NASA)

Four Russian-made rocket engines are on their way to NASA. The high-tech RD-180 boosters weigh over 5 tons.

They are considered heavyweights in the engine world and will serve as boosters for the Atlas space rockets. (Atlas Rockets transport satellites to space)

One of the largest planes in the world (the Ruslan) has been chosen to deliver the giant engines to the United States.

The sheer size and weight of the engines would make it nearly impossible for any other plane to handle. The Ruslan is usually used to transport locomotives.

This scenario is not a new one. The deal for Russia to supply engines to the United States was signed in the 1990s.

Now, after 10 years, Russia has supplied the United States with 50 rocket engines.

(In the deal between the two, Russia is supposed to supply the US with a total of 101 rockets)

Initially, General Dynamics Space Systems Division (later purchased by Lockheed Martin) acquired the rights to use the RD-180 in the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) and Atlas program.

All production to date has taken place in Russia. The engine is currently sold by a joint venture between the Russian developer and producer of the engine NPO Energomash and Pratt & Whitney, called RD AMROSS.

Russia ships rocket engines to US

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