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The Russians now have Snowden and Crimea.
But did you know Russia also controls some crucial aspects of our space program?
A Russian-built engine carries our spy satellites and other military equipment into space.
In 2012, the Air Force began procuring rockets for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program. This program caries spy satellites and other sensitive technology into space. The rocket they effectively use for this mission is the Atlas V, which is powered by Russian-built RD-180 engine.
Meaning that some of America's most advanced spying capabilities are dependent on Russian technology.
The launching of our astronauts into space is also Russian-dependent.
Due to an administration decision to shut down America's manned space program, all American astronauts scheduled to serve on the International Space Station must travel by Russian Soyuz rocket launched from Russian territory.
We pay the Russians $71 million PER PERSON for them to launch our guys into space.
NASA has purchased all their rides into space from the Russians until 2017.
This interdependency is complicated further by the announcement today that NASA will no longer work with Russia and their space program (with some exceptions).
“Given Russia’s ongoing violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, until further notice, the U.S. government has determined that all NASA contacts with Russian government representatives are suspended, unless the activity has been specifically excepted.”
Three American astronauts are currently aboard the International Space Station...
All one needs to do is look to space to find how globalization has complicated our sanctions situation with Russia.
