The Americans called the Russian rocket engine "technological miracle"

11

Recently, the head of the United Launch Alliance, an American company, Tori Bruno wrote on his Twitter account that at the end of the Cold War, the US government asked his company to buy RD-180 engines from Russia "so that Russian rocket scientists would not get into North Korea and Iran." Within a few days, Bruno specified that the Russian RD-180 rocket engine is a technological miracle.

RD-180 is technological a miracle perfect for the Atlas mission

- wrote Bruno.



It should be noted that ULA is the joint brainchild of two American corporations - The Boeing Company and Lockheed Martin Corporation, which was born in 2006, that is, at least 15 years after the end of the Cold War. ULA provides the launch of spacecraft using three types of launch vehicles - Atlas-5, Delta-2 and Delta-4. ULA services are used by NASA, the Pentagon and other government agencies in the United States. Moreover, the RD-180 rocket engines were developed in Russia in the period 1994-1999. So what kind of “cold war” Bruno originally had in mind is not entirely clear.

Bruno also turned his attention to the initial tweet by Dmitry Rogozin, head of the Roskosmos state corporation, who diplomatically called it “a strange explanation.”

It turns out that the American company buys our RD-180 engines not because they are the most efficient and reliable in their class (about 90 accident-free launches on the Atlas rocket), but in order “so that they will not go to the Iranians and North Koreans”

- Rogozin wrote in his Twitter account.

It was after this that Bruno published a new tweet in which he expressed his opinion about the RD-180.

In response, Rogozin thanked Bruno for appreciating the qualities of the RD-180. He expressed satisfaction with the cooperation and expressed readiness to continue deliveries of Russian rocket engines to the United States.

It must be added that in January 2020, Roscosmos reported data on the number of RD-2020 engines ordered by the Americans for 180 (six pieces). At the same time, they said from the USA that they would buy RD-180 from Russia by the end of 2023 for sure.
  • NASA/Bill Ingalls/wikimedia.org
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11 comments
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  1. Cyril
    Cyril
    -1
    April 19 2020 15: 13
    Moreover, the RD-180 rocket engines were developed in Russia in the period 1994-1999. So what kind of “cold war” Bruno originally had in mind is not entirely clear.

    Because the RD-180 is a modified half of the RD-180. Which, yes, was developed during the Cold War.
    1. 123
      123
      +3
      April 19 2020 17: 54
      Because the RD-180 is a modified half of the RD-180. Which, yes, was developed during the Cold War.

      foolFirstly, to create the RD-180 engine, the components and assemblies of the RD-170 and RD-171 engines were used.
      Secondly, if you talk like that, Mask missiles are modified FAUs. laughing
      1. Rum rum
        Rum rum
        +1
        April 19 2020 21: 57
        I won’t lie, but I read somewhere that the RD-170s are engines from the Soviet lunar program. The first sold to amers from storage warehouses. This was in the doc film of the early 2000s. recourse
        1. 123
          123
          +3
          April 19 2020 22: 14
          It may very well be. I have nothing against such a statement. RD-170 was intended for the Republic of Kazakhstan, Energia was one of the most powerful missiles, it is quite possible that it was considered a candidate for a flight to the moon.
          However, as far as I remember, at the time of its creation, the lunar program was long ago curtailed. Who knows, maybe such plans were considered, I don’t presume to approve anything on this issue. hi
          When they were really preparing to fly to the moon, there was an N-1 rocket.
      2. Cyril
        Cyril
        -1
        April 19 2020 23: 40
        Firstly, to create the RD-180 engine, the components and assemblies of the RD-170 and RD-171 engines were used.

        You are right, yes. Sealed up.

        Secondly, if you talk like that, Mask missiles are modified FAUs.

        The FAU-2 engines were not the basis of the Merlin engines, an analogy, as always with you, is through one place.
        1. 123
          123
          +5
          April 20 2020 00: 11
          It's not even a typo. If you assembled a new engine using the predecessor units, this is normal. They work faultlessly, economically. Where necessary - refine, improve. Simple practice. We did what was required in a short time. What are the claims to people? You, apparently, think that they are not doing anything, they live only on old developments? People are engaged in other projects, and this, since they are buying, why not?
          As for the analogy, yes figs with it. We have successful, trouble-free, cost-effective engines that go through improvements, improve, and refine. If the Americans did not have their own acceptable engine and had to develop a new one, who is to blame? Developed? Well done, let them fly. What, now give them a pie from the shelf?
          1. Cyril
            Cyril
            -1
            April 20 2020 00: 38
            Did I say that this is not normal? I just commented on the author’s confusion about the words of the president of ULA that this engine was developed during the Cold War. RD-180 is not just designed using the components and assemblies of the RD-170 - it is the halved version of the RD-170.

            What are the claims to people?

            - none at all. There was no engine rating in my comment. I just answered a specific passage.

            You, apparently, think that they are not doing anything, they live only on old developments?

            - I never think so. The Americans use the same engines developed for the Shuttle in the same time as the RD-170.

            If the Americans did not have their own acceptable engine and had to develop a new one, who is to blame?

            - they have enough of their good engines. Specifically, the RD-180 was chosen due to the fact that, with excellent performance, it was much cheaper than its American counterparts.
            1. 123
              123
              +2
              April 20 2020 01: 07
              Did I say that this is not normal? I just commented on the author’s confusion about the words of the president of ULA that this engine was developed during the Cold War. RD-180 is not just designed using the components and assemblies of the RD-170 - it is the halved version of the RD-170.

              In the summer of 1996 NPO Energomash and Pratt & Whitney signed joint development contract and engine manufacturing. The first engine was shipped to the United States in 1999. Contract completed, engine developed by и made.
              I believe that for 3 years they were engaged in the refinement, testing and commissioning of production. Or have they just been grilling kebabs all this time?
              The engine turned out great.
              Tori Bruno himself believes that "the RD-180 is a technological miracle."
              And not only him, but this comrade also liked the design.

              It's embarrassing that Boeing / Lockheed need to use a Russian engine on Atlas, but that engine design is brilliant.

              Elon Musk 23.12.2018/XNUMX/XNUMX

              Do you think the contract is fake?
  2. gorenina91
    gorenina91
    -5
    April 19 2020 17: 42
    It turns out that the American company buys our RD-180 engines not because they are the most efficient and reliable in their class (about 90 accident-free launches on the Atlas rocket), but in order “so that they won’t go to the Iranians and North Koreans,” Rogozin wrote in your Twitter account.

    - But, as always, they forgot about China ... - And yet - back in 2017, Russia was discussing with China the supply of RD-180 rocket engines and then it was only about the supply of finished products ... - But China was not completely satisfied ... and even then he insisted on transferring engine production technologies to him .... - But then Russia did not plan to transfer RD-180 technologies to China ... - But 3 years have passed since then and the conditions could change ...
    - As for the delivery of the RD-180 engines by Russia, they are installed only on the first stage of the American heavy rockets "Atlas V" ... - And when launched, the first stage always throws away ... - Well, it is very beneficial for the Americans to use the reliable Russian RD-engine. 180, while they continue to operate Atlas V missiles ... - Why bother and create something else ... - it's easier to buy a Russian engine ...
    - Well, in the future, Russia will be able to sell its RD-180 and to someone else ... - And if it is possible to maintain the first stage of the rocket after launch (after it has separated), then the RD-180 engine can be used repeatedly. ..
    1. shadow
      shadow
      0
      April 20 2020 20: 58
      Well, they bother sending astronauts from American land. It’s the same here: prestige.
  3. Sergey Latyshev
    Sergey Latyshev
    -4
    April 19 2020 23: 05
    How not to jinx it ...
    Something often began to quote Rogozin, not good ....