ULA Purchase Of RD-180 Boosters Complies with Sanctions

The U.S. Court of Federal Claims has lifted the preliminary injunction imposed against United Launch Alliance’s (ULA’s) purchase of RD-180 engines from its suppliers and partners, RD AMROSS and NPO Energomash in Russia, the company said Thursday in a news release.

The court said the purchase "clearly complies with the sanctions against Russia," according to the company. 

“The letters submitted by U.S. Departments of State, Treasury and Commerce explicitly stated that NPO Energomash is not subject to any of the current sanctions and that ULA’s continued purchase of the RD-180 does not directly or indirectly contravene the Ukraine sanctions," the company said in a statement.

“Sadly, SpaceX’s frivolous lawsuit caused unnecessary distraction of the executive and judicial branch and increased tensions with Russia during a sensitive national security crisis.

“SpaceX’s actions are self-serving, irresponsible and have threatened the U.S.’s involvement with the International Space Station and other companies and projects working with Russian State entities.

“We continue to hope that SpaceX will revisit its underlying lawsuit and the merits of its case.  The fact remains, even today SpaceX is not certified to launch even one mission under the block buy contract -- a contract that was authorized and announced more than two years ago, without objection by SpaceX, and is saving the U.S. taxpayers over $4 billion.”

FMI: www.ulalaunch.com