Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster, with Earth in background. “Spaceman” mannequin wearing SpaceX Spacesuit in driving seat. “Last image” transmitted. Camera mounted on external boom
The head of Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, Dmitry Rogozin, today suggested that Elon Musk is not playing fair as the Pentagon is paying SpaceX large amounts to launch rockets significantly below Russia’s ability to price “to squeeze Russia out of this market.”
SpaceX Says It Will Take 65% Of Global Commercial Launch Market
“We understand that this game is unfair,” he said on Channel One’s “The Great Game” political show, reported The Moscow Times. [The Pentagon] “pays him on average $150 million for every launch.”
“He’s paid extra to enter the market with a cheaper product. Of course Russia can’t compete.”
Rogozin vowed to regain leadership in the space launch market with a new Angara heavy space rocket. “You’ll check and correct me in two-three years,” added The Moscow Times.
The space launch business has been a big revenue source for Moscow in recent decades, as the United States let its capability atrophy. Now the private sector is filling the gaps for Western launch requirements and Moscow is losing business. The trend looks to continue as Russia is also squeezed with sanctions from Washington and the European Union.
NASA Director Says Agency Working Hard To End Reliance On Russian Engines
Director of #Roscosmos says cooperation with #NASA problematic due to “Russophobia” https://t.co/WhsiBZclYt pic.twitter.com/n3BkfpLY1L
— Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (@RFERL) October 2, 2018
