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U.S. sends spy satellite into space with Russian-powered Atlas 5 rocket

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U.S. sends spy satellite into space with Russian-powered Atlas 5 rocket
A super secret US spy satellite soared spectacularly to space this afternoon from Cape Canaveral atop a very powerful version of the Atlas V.




The U.S. National Reconnaissance Office launched a United Launch Alliance-made Atlas V rocket carrying a spy satellite from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Thursday afternoon. As is nearly always the case with clandestine missions, little was revealed about this launch, the rocket’s payload, or the purpose of the mission. Commentary of the launch ended shortly after the rocket successfully arced toward the east over the Atlantic Ocean.

Typically, spy satellites launched from the East Coast are placed into orbits over the equator. These orbits are roughly 22,300 miles from the Earth, and they tend to be populated with spacecraft equipped to receive and relay eavesdropping signals and intelligence data. Another class of spy satellite that conducts optical- and radar-based surveillance is normally launched from the West Coast and placed into polar orbits. For this mission, observers reported a rocket trajectory consistent with an equatorial orbit placement.

One interesting political facet to this event is that the Atlas V rocket carrying the spy satellite to its undisclosed destination was powered in part by a Russian-made engine. The RD-180 first-stage engine on this 19-story rocket was acquired from RD AMROSS of Jupiter, Florida, a U.S.-based affiliate of both NPO Energomash of Russia and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne of West Palm Beach, Florida. The first RD-180 engine was tested in 2000 and used successfully in the first RD-180-powered Atlas V launch in 2002.

Now, amid recent Russian activities relating to unrest in Ukraine and Crim



Read more: U.S. sends spy satellite into space with Russian-powered Atlas 5 rocket | Science Recorder
 
The Russian RD-180 has nothing to do with the Ukraine crisis. These engines were bought by the US in 2000 and mated with the other engines on the Atlas rocket long ago.

However, there could be problems with acquiring more such engines now from Russia due to the crisis.
 
RD-180 is a LOX / Kerosene engine. It is non-toxic, cheaper, better and more reliable. United States gave up and "lost" this technology so they have to buy from Russia.
 
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RD-180 is a LOX / Kerosene engine. It is non-toxic, cheaper, better and more reliable. United States gave up and "lost" this technology so they have to buy from Russia.



You obviously have facts to back up your assertion. Lets here it, please tell us all what is so special about the RD-180 and how the US "gave up and lost this technology".
 
You obviously have facts to back up your assertion. Lets here it, please tell us all what is so special about the RD-180 and how the US "gave up and lost this technology".

The F-1 rocket engine that powered the Saturn V to the moon is the LOX / Kerosene that I am referring to.
But United States abandon it in favor of the solid boasters for the Space Shuttle.

So for over 50 years the United States has not used the F-1 LOX / Kerosene engine. The F-1 blueprints are not maintain nor computerized and United States has not kept up with its development.

Now they are playing catch up. Catch up to the past. They are now taking apart museum pieces and restarting from square one figuring out how it works. They are reverse engineering from a museum piece to a blue print.
But Reverse Engineering is not easy.

On the other hand, China successful tested their YF-100 LOX / Kerosene Engine way back in 2007. That's over 7 years ago. US is only starting to rebuild and retest piece by piece last year. United States has not fired up a completely assembled LOX / Kerosene Engine yet. So it is fair to say that United States is behind both Russia and China.

Chinese YF-100 LOX/Kerosene Rocket Engine Test
 
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The F-1 rocket engine that powered the Saturn V to the moon is the LOX / Kerosene that I am referring to.
But United States abandon it in favor of the solid boasters for the Space Shuttle.

So for over 50 years the United States has not used the F-1 LOX / Kerosene engine. The F-1 blueprints are not maintain nor computerized and United States has not kept up with its development.

Now they are playing catch up. Catch up to the past. They are now taking apart museum pieces and restarting from square one figuring out how it works. They are reverse engineering from a museum piece to a blue print.
But Reverse Engineering is not easy.

On the other hand, China successful tested their YF-100 LOX / Kerosene Engine way back in 2007. That's over 7 years ago. US is only starting to rebuild and retest piece by piece last year. United States has not fired up a completely assembled LOX / Kerosene Engine yet. So it is fair to say that United States is behind both Russia and China.
That is just a stupid, aka suck-up, argument.

US Special Forces in Afghanistan used horses where modern mechanical vehicles could not go. So I guess the modern US Army was 'behind' Afghanis with their horses. :rolleyes:
 
So for over 50 years the United States has not used the F-1 LOX / Kerosene engine. The F-1 blueprints are not maintain nor computerized and United States has not kept up with its development.

Now they are playing catch up. Catch up to the past. They are now taking apart museum pieces and restarting from square one figuring out how it works. They are reverse engineering from a museum piece to a blue print.
But Reverse Engineering is not easy.

SpaceX Merlin 1D

- LOX/Kerosene Engine
- highest thrust to weight ratio of all time
- 100% privately funded

640px-SpaceX_Testing_Merlin_1D_Engine_In_Texas.jpg


800px-Launch_of_Falcon_9_carrying_CASSIOPE_%28130929-F-ET475-012%29.jpg


Playing catch up? Reverse engineering museum pieces?

Seriously?
 
. So it is fair to say that United States is behind both Russia and China.

Wrong the US turned to Russian RD-180's to keep Russian experts employed and out of the hands of rogue nations.
Plus the Russians desperate for funds made the US an exceptional offer. Russia or China being ahead of the US is just wishful thinking on your part.
 

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