Russia has decided to stop supplying rocket engines to the United States in retaliation for its sanctions against Russia over Ukraine, Dmitry Rogozin, head of the state space agency Roscosmos, said on Thursday.
"In a situation like this we can't supply the United States with our world's best rocket engines. Let them fly on something else, their broomsticks, I don't know what," Rogozin said on state Russian television.
According to Rogozin, Russia has delivered a total of 122 RD-180 engines to the U.S. since 1990s, of which 98 have been used to power Atlas launch vehicles.
Roscosmos will also stop servicing rocket engines it had previously delivered to the U.S., Rogozin said, adding that the U.S. still had 24 engines that would now be left without Russian technical assistance.
Russia has earlier said it was suspending cooperation with Europe on space launches from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana in response to Western sanctions over Ukraine.
Moscow has also demanded guarantees from British satellite company OneWeb that its satellites would not be used for military purposes. OneWeb, in which the British government has a stake, said on Thursday it was suspending all launches from Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Rogozin said Russia would now focus on creating dual-purpose spacecraft in line with the needs of Roscosmos and the Defence Ministry.
Latest Stories
-
Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong donates to Osu Children’s Home in Ghana
20 minutes -
GPL 2024/25: Heart of Lions beat Young Apostles to go three points clear
51 minutes -
Dance battles, musical chairs light up Joy FM Party in the Park
1 hour -
Kwabena Kwabena, Camidoh, Kwan Pa Band, others rock Joy FM Family Party in the Park
1 hour -
GPL 2024/2025: Aduana beat struggling Legon Cities
1 hour -
GPL 2024/25: Bechem United fail to honor match against Holy Stars
2 hours -
Cooking competition takes centrestage at Joy FM Family Party In The Park
2 hours -
Album review: ‘Wonder’ by Nana Fredua-Agyeman Jnr
4 hours -
Bouncy castle, sack race, and smiles galore: Joy FM Family Party takes over Aburi Gardens
4 hours -
Watch: Kwan Pa Band thrills patrons at Joy FM Family Party in the Park
4 hours -
Akufo-Addo partly to blame for NPP’s defeat in 2024 election – Frank Agyekum
4 hours -
Rapid urbanisation endangers children’s mental health – Psychiatrist warns
4 hours -
Kedland International School hosts maiden Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
5 hours -
I didn’t speak against holding wrongdoers accountable – Rev. Kwadwo Bempah clarifies ORAL comment
6 hours -
RSS Developers to hold 3-day open house event on home purchasing from Friday, Dec. 27
6 hours