U.S. Lawmakers Press Defense Officials on Use of RD-180

摘要

Senior U.S. military space leaders told a House subcommittee April 3 they backed the idea of developing an American-made alternative to the Russian-made RD-180 that powers the core stage of the U.S. Atlas 5"rocket, but said breaking existing contracts to buy and use the engines would be expensive and risky. Testifying before the House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee, these officials said the idea made sense from a national security perspective and as a way to support U.S. businesses.