A PYMNTS Company

US: Did rocket launcher venture violate antitrust law?

By  |  June 13, 2013

In an exclusive, Reuters is reporting that the Federal Trade Commission is looking into whether a joint venture that uses rockets to launch satellites into space violated US antitrust law. The venture, named United Launch Alliance and started by Lockheed Martin Corp and Boeing Co, is alleged to have monopolized a certain engine through an exclusivity agreement with the engine’s maker. According to FTC papers, the two may have made the agreement with RD Amross, which is its own joint venture of NPO Energomash, based in Russia, and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. Sources have accused United Launch Alliance of barring the engine company from making sales to other rocket companies, including rival Orbital Sciences Corp.

Full Content: Reuters

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.