Comments on: More Space News From Russia

By: Joel Raupe

Joel Raupe — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:59:38 +0000

Clearly something has been decided in Russia's staid space circles, if nothing other than announcements in accord with consensus that somethings needed to made public if they were to happen at all, such as a need for $5 Billion and longer commitments from international partners to complete all phases of the Russian segment of ISS.

They seem committed also to a what may be a genuine long-term vision, but clearly within the same short-term budget constraints characteristic of the U.S. system and Congressional terms.

It's as though rumors and then bureaucrats emerged from the meeting with orders for a new direction. It wouldn't be boldness that characterised the Russians since long before MIR, it was clinging to a tried and proven launch capability propped up by the U.S., and now a need to compete on the future playing field already under construction in China, Europe and the U.S., and elsewhere.

A renewed era of Russian activity serves the interests of peace, just as a more active future peaceful use of LEO and beyond is stabilizing throughout Earth's nations.

By: Adam LibuÅ¡a

Adam LibuÅ¡a — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:25:58 +0000

Hi.. People, I don't want to destry your excitement, I would love it if they succeeded, but Russians do this all the time… They keep promising whilst they have problems with financing current research. They will be happy if they succeed in sending two moduls to ISS as promised and finding a replacement for Souyz…

By: PHWilson

PHWilson — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:16:34 +0000

If Russia is serious on these bold plans, they will have to be willing to accept international support to accomplish more than an accomplishment. We either join effort or stay on this planet – for a time.

By: Michael Spencer

Michael Spencer — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:44:15 +0000

Certainly some exciting concepts, and at some point in our history it will be done. But let's leave the animals on the groundâ€¦no test animals in space, although having a kitty around might be cool.

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 07:35:44 +0000

Sounds a little far-fetched. They are going from cash strapped to building an interplanetary space ship contruction yard? I do sincerely wish them good luck with this project since if successful it may force the U.S. out of its religiously introspecive and technologically destructive bad habits it has developed since the end of the cold war. It is kind of sad to think that the U.S. devotion to science and technological progress was not for the obvious benefits it brings mankind, but rather just to beat the Japanese, Germans and then the Soviets in the mid to late 20th century..

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 06:34:24 +0000

Good for the Russians. They have a long proud history in science and space exploration. Good to see them with vision for the future.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:58:42 +0000

I think this is exciting news. An orbital construction yard is exactly what we will need to reach the stars. Why must we wait until the ISS is completed? I think it should in itself be the start. All the space junk and debris floating in orbit may provide some of the materials needed. And why must we race to see who does it first? Teamwork and cooperation will bring results much quicker than competition. Humanity's first steps into deeper space should be made in unity.

By: Astrofiend (Syd, Aust)

Astrofiend (Syd, Aust) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:16:50 +0000

Steve Says:
April 14th, 2008 at 4:54 pm

"Russia is becoming a world power again and is stamping their foot on anything they can, so it sounds more just like a bunch of crazy promises"

Indeed they are becoming a world superpower again, but I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss their plans as absurd.

Russia have a lot to prove to the world at the moment, and as I've always maintained, the most prestigious arena in which to do that is in space. They really are experts at making huge progress on a shoestring budget, and while the west farts around with an almost useless space station, vague plans for the moon and what now appears to be a flawed plan for a shuttle replacement, I wouldn't be surprised if Russia just went out there and got the job done.

These sort of audacious plans are what the first years of the space race were all about, and it would be worthwhile remembering that the USSR beat America to the post at almost every turn during the space race except the final moonshot, which is not to put the USA down, but to remind that they certainly have the technical prowess, the vision and the drive to move forward in leaps and bounds.

It's been a wasted 30 or 40 years now in terms of human space exploration. While probes and robots have been singularly impressive in their feats of scientific exploration, human-related space activity lost its drive as soon as the USSR began to go down the gurgler, when it appeared that the USA wouldn't have to try so hard anymore to out-technology the Soviets. It appears that we may now be headed for space race v.2, which can only be a good thing for us space fanatics.

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:54:50 +0000

If sending monkeys and other animals to certain death is seeing the future the way it should be, then I completely agree.

I think its more just bullocks than anything. Russia is becoming a world power again and is stamping their foot on anything they can, so it sounds more just like a bunch of crazy promises

By: ed

ed — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:40:26 +0000

These are good news!
Russian government are taking the initiative and are seeing the future the way it should be.

Not like our western governments which are too tied up in politics and economics.

I applaud the russians since this kind of initiative may jump start the kind of good competition (like the coldwar) needed to advance technology-wise in space.