Saturday, April 26, 2014

SpaceX Announces Court Action Against US Govt Launch Contract

In order to yank Russia away from the cryogenic engine deal it signed with India, the US signed a rival deal with Russia to buy its cryogenic engines, which would be used for Atlas-V rockets launched from the US. Elon Musk and SpaceX are now challenging this deal, demanding that they be allowed to compete in the contract bidding for the launches now done through Atlas-V.


http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/04/25/spacex-sues-to-block-contract-award/8157667/

If the SpaceX lawsuit succeeds in overturning the Atlas V launch arrangement, then India should immediately push Russia to resume further transfer of even more sophisticated cryogenic engine technology, so that we can catch up for all the lost years that the Americans made us lose.

SpaceX can probably beat everyone hands-down with its new reusable launch technology, but ISRO should now also start putting its mind towards reusable launch vehicle technology. RLV-TD should soon be demonstrated this year, hopefully.

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