History Was Made: Successful Russian-American Rocket Launch Effort Q: What was important about this rocket launch? What launch? A: On May 4, 2000, the Atlas II lifted off its launch site at Cape Canaveral. The important thing about the launch was that it marked the first time an American launch vehicle was powered by a Russian rocket engine.   Q: What kind of engine powered the launch? A: The engine is the new Russian RD-180 engine. It powered the Atlas booster phase of the flight, as well as the single-engine configuration on the rocket's Centaur upper stage.   Q: Who were some of the players involved in this historic effort and what do they have to say? A: One key player, and also a member of our Board of Directors was Dr. G. Thomas Marsh, President of Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company - Astronautics Operations, "We had a vision back in 1993 of where we wanted to take the Atlas family of rockets to meet the objectives laid out in our company's overall launch vehicle strategy. With today's launch, we celebrate a major milestone in the continuing success story of Atlas and our company's commitment to being the preeminent launch vehicle manufacturer." Astronautics Operations is one of the operating units of Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Astronautics Operations designs, develops, tests and manufactures a variety of advanced technology systems for space and defense. Chief products include interplanetary spacecraft and other space systems, space launch systems and ground systems. Another key player was Dr. Mark J. Albrecht, President of International Launch Services (ILS), provider of the launch service, "A successful inaugural launch is a joyous occasion for all of the people who have worked so hard to make it a reality. The launch is marked by a number of important 'firsts' for all of the organizations involved." International Launch Services is a joint venture stock company established in 1995 to market launch services on Atlas and the Russian-built Proton to the global space communications industry. ILS is owned by Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services and the Lockheed Khrunichev Energia International joint venture with Russian companies Khrunichev and RSC Energia. ILS is headquartered in Reston, VA, with additional offices in Denver, Colorado, and Moscow, Russian Federation. ILS manages all tasks associated with providing launch services including technical, management and marketing expertise. Yet another important figure was Mr. Guiliano Berretta, Eutelsat, "Congratulations to ILS on the successful launch of the Atlas III launch vehicle, which has boosted a new digital communications for EUTELSAT into space. With beams over Russia and Africa, W4 opens doors for the launch of major consumer pay-TV platforms and business-to-business services in two geographically distinct regions rich with opportunities. This fully underpins our strategy to evolve into a truly international satellite enterprise." And finally, Mr. Larry Knauer, President, P&W Space and Russian Operations, "Today's launch is a major accomplishment for the Lockheed Martin, NPO Energomash, Pratt & Whitney and RD AMROSS team, and provides a great reward for the unflagging effort by this team. As a member of this formidable team, P&W is extremely pleased with today's success and is enthusiastically looking forward to supporting many more successful launches for the Atlas III." P&W Propulsion includes liquid rocket and hypersonic propulsion at Liquid Space Propulsion, located at West Palm Beach, FL; solid rocket propulsion at Chemical Systems Division, located at San Jose, CA; Russian rocket engines at RD AMROSS LLC., located at West Palm Beach, FL; and automated spray systems and services at Advanced Systems Technology, located at Huntsville, AL. P&W is a unit of United Technologies Corporation of Hartford, CT. The Russian-American Chamber of Commerce® is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization acting to promote American business interests in the Russian marketplace. The Russian-American Chamber of Commerce® Last Updated: December 21, 2000. Copyright the Russian-American Chamber of Commerce® 1995-2003. All rights reserved.