Russian launch vehicles on the world market: A case-study of International joint ventures

This article examines the trend towards commercialization of Russian Space rockets via joint ventures with Western firms. It analyses the reasons for both sides' involvement (financial, competitive) and discusses the background, status and prospects of a number of specific joint ventures. The final section looks at whether Russia will find its space industry taken over by the West, but concludes that, as the producer of a successful, high-tech product, this is unlikely to be the case.