Russia to phase out importing Ukrainian Rocket Parts



by Staff Writers



Moscow (Sputnik) Jan 22, 2016



Russia's Roscosmos space agency plans to gradually stop using Ukrainian-made rocket parts after a breakdown in space cooperation, the organization's spokesperson said Thursday.

Deteriorating relations between Moscow and Kiev over the 2014 conflict in Ukraine's southeast have put a strain on their space cooperation. Russia has to rely on NASA mediation to procure rocket control systems from Ukraine.

"Our reliance on Ukrainian components is very limited, and I am positive that it will be phased out in the near future," the spokesperson told reporters.

Despite worsened relations, Russia and Ukraine launched a jointly-built Zenit carrier rocket in late 2015. It is produced by the Ukrainian Yuzhmash manufacturer with 70 percent of Russian-made components.

Source: Sputnik News