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Russia put the first artificial satellite into orbit, the first man into space, the first person into orbit, and the first woman into space. Even at the height
by snowwrestler 6y ago
Russia put the first artificial satellite into orbit, the first man into space, the first person into orbit, and the first woman into space. Even at the height of the Cold War they partnered openly with the U.S. in space, and continue to do so to this day.
There are a lot of criticisms to level at Russia/USSR over the past century, but IMO their space program has been instrumental in driving the world forward and they should get credit for that forever. I say that as an American who loves the moon landings, the Space Shuttle, Hubble, Mars rovers, SpaceX, etc.
I would also put the end of the Cold War as an amazing accomplishment by the USSR/Russia. I know it's usually framed as a victory for the U.S., but the reality is that, as a society, they spontaneously delivered a peaceful transition from one system of government to another. It was a revolution, and if you compare it to the previous big revolution in Russia, the lack of violence was striking and heartening. It was an incredible moment of hope for the entire world.
Sadly, they have regressed in the area of governance since then. But then again, so has the U.S.
- mcv 6y agoDon't forget that until a few weeks ago, the US was dependent on Russian Soyuz rockets for manned space travel. For all that's wrong with Russia, their space program is still excellent.
- NicoJuicy 6y agoSo you are basing your judgement on a decades old engine? They tried everything Musk did in the past and failed. Mostly because they don't have the money to fund it anymore. Also, they severely upped the price of engines in the last 10 years ( > 350% ), so it was bound to happen sooner or later.
- nix23 6y ago>They tried everything Musk did in the past and failed. I dont think Russians wanted to make Electric cars, reusable rockets or a Vacuum-tube. And then it's that: https://www.technologyreview.com/2019/06/26/134490/spacex-blue-origin-russian-rd180-rocket-engine-design/ https://www.technologyreview.com/2019/06/26/134490/spacex-bl...
- NicoJuicy 6y agoIn correlation with SpaceX :)
- mcv 6y agoA decades old engine that was better and more reliable than many rockets that came later. Most notably the Space Shuttle. What Musk is doing is absolutely great, but that doesn't change the fact that for the long time, the US depended on Soyuz.
- snowwrestler 6y agoRussia's space program has been undoubtedly hobbled by their national economic problems. That's been true going back to the USSR days. But, I don't think it's fair to place the blame for that within the space program itself.