before the replacement of the RD-180 became part of the common vernacular in defense circles.

The U.S. Air Force launches many of the military’s communications, reconnaissance and navigation satellites on the massive Atlas V rocket. The powerful and reliable RD-180 engine blasts the Atlas V rocket during the boost phase, the first four minutes-or-so during launch. The engine and booster then disconnect and a second engine, the RL-10, propels the payload into space. Aerojet Rocketdyne makes the RL-10.

Souring relations between Washington and Moscow of the past year following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has put American access to the RD-180 in question. In response to U.S. sanctions levied against Russian firms, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin in May said Moscow would no longer export the RD-180 to the U.S.Located off the coast of Nagasaki, the long-abandoned Hashima Island (also known as "Gunkanjima" or "Battleship Island") was the inspiration for Raoul Silva's lair in Skyfall. Now, thanks to Google Maps, you can visit the island on Street View.


Mitsubishi used Hashima Island as a coal mining facility; the inhabitants of the large concrete apartment buildings retrieved coal from underwater mines. But as Japan moved from coal to petroleum for its energy needs, coal mines began to close, and Mitsubishi announced the closing of the Hashima Island mines in 1974. The workers left the island, leaving the buildings to crumble.

Google received permission from the city of Nagasaki to take one of its Trekker backpacks to the island. You can watch the trekking below:

Or take your own virtual tour of