Engine purchase ban lifted

An injunction that temporarily prevented the Air Force and United Launch Alliance from buying Russian-made RD-180 engines for launch vehicles has been lifted. The injunction was issued April 30 after SpaceX filed suit, saying purchase of the engines violated sanctions imposed on Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and 10 others. But letters submitted to the court by the departments of State, Treasury and Commerce said the maker of the engines, NPO Energomash, is not subject any of the sanctions. The engines are used in ULA Atlas V rockets that launch government satellites. (Source: Space Travel, Space News, 05/09/14) Previous