Russian and Soviet Space Programs

Found Footage: Russia to Resume Moon Program

August 10th, 2007

In a search for alternative energy sources, Russia and other countries are once again looking to the moon. Russia is planning a new set of flights to the moon and possibly even a moon base. This all sounds very similar to the Cold War space race, but this time it’s less of a race and at least some international cooperation is expected. Here’s a report on the subject from Russia Today.


Video on Youtube

Related articles: Soviet Cities on the Moon?, China and Russia to Explore Mars Together, New Russian Space Shuttles

Found Footage: Sputnik launch in 1956

June 9th, 2007

This Universal International News reel from 1956 takes an interesting look at the launch of Sputnik by the Soviets. The clip includes an animation showing how Sputnik was believed to have been launched. This news piece was most likely shown in movie theaters around America.

Soviet Cities on the Moon?

May 28th, 2007

Soviet Moon Cities

The February, 1958 edition of Science Digest featured an interesting article on Soviet plans to build cities on the moon. Of course the Soviets never sent men to the moon, and it would be another 11 years before Neil Armstrong would make his historic landing. Back in 1958, however, it seemed that Soviet plans to colonize the moon were taken rather seriously by American scientists. The article is very interesting and gives some historic perspective on the space race between the US and USSR.

Link: Soviet Cities on the Moon?

China and Russia to Explore Mars Together

March 28th, 2007

MarsChina and Russia have announced plans to launch a joint unmanned mission to Mars in 2009. The two countries plan to explore Mars and one of its moons. This news comes as Chinese President Hu Jintao is visiting Moscow and attending activities to mark the beginning of Russia’s “Year of China”.

Link: Reuters - China details Mars exploration with Russia
Link: People’s Daily Online - Chinese satellite to orbit Mars
Link: Hu Jintao Pays State Visit to Russia and Attends Activities Marking the “Year of China”

US Software Engineer to Tour Space with Russians

March 23rd, 2007

Billionaire software engineer Charles Simonyi is currently training for his planed tour to the International Space Station. He will be the 5th space tourist to visit the station with the Russian space agency. Simonyi started his programming career in Hungary using a Soviet-built Ural-2 system and plans to carry some paper-tape from that machine into space with him. He went on to work for several companies including Microsoft, where he helped develop Microsoft Word and Excel.

Simonyi’s friend Martha Stewart has planned a gourmet meal for Simonyi to take with him and share with the space station crew. According to Reuters, the meal will include “quail roasted in Madrian wine, duck breast with capers, shredded chicken parmentier, apple fondant pieces, rice pudding with candied fruit and semolina cake with dried apricots.”

Link: U.S. software developer to become world’s 5th space tourist
Link: Space station guest’s meal plan: roast quail to go

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