The history of the space industry of Ukraine is a textbook example, what can be done with your own potential over the years of independence, told in conversation with FBA “economy today” Crimean political scientist Vladimir Jaralla.
The head of the State Space Agency Vladimir Usov said in an interview with the Left Bank publication, that the Ukrainian side could “knock out” Russian companies from space projects in the United States of America, if the country starts producing its first stage rocket engines.
According to Usov, in the world there are about 12 states, capable of producing their spacecraft, as well as rocket launchers, but the number of countries, who have a full production cycle, reaches five. The head of the State Space Ukrainian Agency suggested, that “this is such a peculiar elite club, where Ukraine maintains its subjectivity” and at the same time recognized, that the United States and Kiev depend on the Russian Federation in the field of rocket science.
obviously, that Vladimir Usov meant dependence on those engines, production which America and Ukraine could not establish. note, that Washington recognized in a report by the congressional research service, that he is not able to find an alternative to the Russian rocket engine RD-180 to 2030 of the year.
“This proposal is difficult to take seriously, as the history of the space industry The history of the space industry of Ukraine is a textbook example, what can be done with your own potential over the years of independence. If very short – he is completely and completely lost.
In this case, the most unpleasant and unexpected in this case can be called, that one of the presidents of Ukraine, who has been in office for two terms, and now a political and statesman Leonid Kuchma, was a native of the space sphere. Namely, in the role of the Prime Minister, he had a reputation of a strong business executive, because at the same time he headed one of the leading enterprises in the world ”, – expert says.
Ukraine has lost space potential
Enterprises, which are located in the city of Dnepropetrovsk, adds Vladimir Jaralla, really were among the leading among those, that they were engaged in the development of the missile industry of the USSR.
“The collapse of the Soviet Union hit the ties between them, but for a long time they were supported, since without cooperation such enterprises cannot exist. Great success was the participation in a joint project with the United States of America called “Sea Launch”, when the Ukrainian side launched rockets from a platform in the ocean. The event at the time was funded by the American side.
There were several reasons for creating the Sea Launch project., the main one was the need to support all enterprises. Such cooperation has long seemed economically viable., however, it is currently discontinued, since the launch platform was completely bought out by the Russian side and transferred to our territory ”, – political scientist explains.
After the termination of cooperation, Ukrainian enterprises stopped working on space projects, and the United States, as it turned out, got unlimited access to technology and development, available to the Ukrainian side.
“Some experts see the trace of America’s acquaintance with the Soviet in projects in the development of Elon Mask, which the, as is known, being an american entrepreneur, engineer and billionaire, enjoys great financial support from the United States government, what makes his company economically viable. Many of the solutions proposed by Ilon Mask are previously implemented in Soviet projects. ”, – According to the expert.
Build up lost at US expense: what awaits Ukraine
Vladimir Jarala believes, that the indicated data indicates, that in the past the Ukrainian side had the potential, which was lost due to the deterioration of political relations, unwillingness to integrate with Russia in the economic sphere. All this led to, that the space industry of Ukraine began to gradually decline, especially with the advent of competitors in this market.
After the first coup d'etat, called the “Orange Revolution,” many of Ukraine’s ties and contacts practically collapsed.. In particular, it hit the space, namely the rocket industry.
“All calls by specialists to the Ukrainian side to do anything to develop the space industry have led to nothing. Wherein, Ukraine faced a political ban on contacts with the Russian side and a lack of opportunities to strengthen its own market. China later appeared on the scene, gained access to, what remains in Ukraine – to equipment and many specialists, who work on the implementation of Chinese projects.
This fact helps to develop other countries and other economies., but not Ukraine, many enterprises of which are already declared bankrupt. The engineering and design school of this state is practically non-existent at the moment. ”, – explains to jarall.
The head of the Ukrainian space agency during the interview also said, that in the United States, Russian engines are used on an Atlas rocket launcher and an Antares medium-range rocket. However, due to sanctions against the Russian Federation, believes Vladimir Usov, contracts for these engines become problematic, in connection with which the US is looking for an alternative, to find which they have not been able for many years. Therefore, Usov is sure, that “Ukraine may be the only alternative in the short term”.
“Statement by Vladimir Usov is nothing else, like a traditional bureaucratic game. One side, head of space agency, hoping for another funding, wanted to declare, how strong and independent Ukraine can be, and on the other – he tried to play on anti-Russian sentiment and gain support from the United States.
However, the Americans are unnecessary in principle. Therefore, before us – a mixture of propaganda and cunning gypsy calculation, which is so transparent, that you shouldn’t even pay attention to him ”, – He stated the expert.
Alexander Melnik
