article_snippet.sent: The aim of both SpaceX and ULA is to end US dependence on Russian-built rocket engines, but the technology has so far proven difficult.
article_snippet.sent: Russian-made RD-180 engines currently power ULA's Atlas rocket, but Congress banned further imports as part of trade sanctions enacted after Russia invaded Ukraine last year.
article_snippet.sent: Chief Executive Officer Tory Bruno told a news conference in Colorado that Russian-made RD-180 engines will be designed to return to Earth, so Russian-made RD-180 engines can be refurbished and reflown.
article_snippet.sent: It hopes to separate Russian-made RD-180 engines after launch, inflate a heat shield around Russian-made RD-180 engines and dispatch a helicopter to nab Russian-made RD-180 engines mid-air.
article_snippet.sent: It hopes to separate Russian-made RD-180 engines after launch, inflate a heat shield around Russian-made RD-180 engines and dispatch a helicopter to grab Russian-made RD-180 engines mid-air .
article_snippet.sent: Reusing Russian-made RD-180 engines will enable ULA to cut launch costs to about $100 million for a medium-lift booster and about $200 million for heavy-lift variants.
highlights_snippet.sent: Engines will separate after launch and be picked up by helicopter mid-air .
  
highlights_snippet.sent: Reusable rockets could end US dependence on Russian rocket engines .
  