Russia could soon sign a contract with a...

A series of NK-33 rocket engine tests were successfully completed in early March by Russia"s United Engine Corporation/SNTK in Samara. The basic NK-33 engine was originally designed and produced in Russia in late 1960s for the Russian N1 lunar launch vehicle.

The Vedomosti newspaper cited SNTK executive director Nikolai Nikitin as saying that details of a future delivery contract are being discussed with its U.S. partners, Aerojet and Orbital. He did not disclose the value of the deal.

"Aerojet bought about 40 NK-33 engines in mid-1990s, paying $1 million for each unit. The U.S. company has 30 engines at present and will need 20 for 10 launches to the International Space Station," Nikitin said.

"The price for newly delivered engines should be much higher," he said, adding that comparable RD-180 space engines are sold to the U.S. by Russia"s Energomash company for $6 million.

The Taurus II launch vehicle is still in development by Orbital, but the company

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