Across the table was a scientist working on rocket propulsion at (I believe) Marshall Space Center.

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The latter include, for example: supercomputers, advanced machine tools, fiber optic and other sophisticated telecommunications gear, jet engine hot sections, rocket propulsion and guidance components, "stealth" technology, to name a few.

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Building that larger missile would require major advances in metallurgy, rocket engines, guidance and propulsion, and probably foreign assistance.

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European engineers believe they could contribute to this project by providing the propulsion unit that pushes the rocket's capsule to these locations.

BBC: European tech could propel Nasa's Orion capsule

India's rocket scientists are evidently getting better both at using sophisticated propulsion and at aiming, reportedly to within 50 metres of a target.

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If the project is approved, engineers would hope to have the propulsion unit, or service module, ready to fly on the American rocket's first test flight.

BBC: European tech could propel Nasa's Orion capsule