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U.S. buys Russian rocket engines made forty years ago. / April 1, 2010 /

The American company Aerojet plans to sign a contract for the purchase of rocket engines NK-33. They planned to equip the first stage of the launcher Taurus II. The publication notes that the engine NK-33 was developed for the Soviet lunar program designer, Nikolai Kuznetsov 40 years ago.

In mid-March at the Aerojet site appeared a press release stating that the engine test, which took place in Samara, are successful. In the company’s «Vedomosti» confirmed that fully satisfied with the results of tests.

According to the Aerojet, are currently undergoing further consultation. He did not rule out that in the near future will be a contract for the purchase of engines. The purchase has not yet been determined. The company also did not give any comments about the possible price of the motor.

At the same time, the executive director of the Samara Scientific-Technical Complex (SNTK) name Kuznetsova Nikolai Nikitin noted that the estimated U.S. companies in the years 2016-2020 it would require 71 engine NK-33. Currently stored in warehouses SNTK only about 40 engines. According to Nikitin, the resumption of production of NK-33 will require 4 billion rubles.

Also, the publication noted that in the mid 90-ies the company Aerojet bought SNTK about 40 engines NK-33, paying for each one million dollars. According to Nikolai Nikitin, at the cost of new supply engine will be substantially increased.

Manufacture of launch vehicles Taurus II deals Orbital Sciences Corporation, under contract with the National Aerospace Agency Administration (NASA) to supply the ISS. According to the company, the deal until the year 2015 will bring Orbital 1,9 billion dollars.

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