The Rebirth of the Russian Space Program: 50 Years after Sputnik, New Frontiers

Brian Harvey9780387713540, 0387713549

During the 1990s, the Russian space program went through a number of traumatic adjustments and, indeed, almost came to an end. Both its budget and staff numbers were massively reduced, and numerous operations and initiatives were cancelled. Yet against all the odds, Russian space engineers clawed their way back from the edge of collapse. They turned a national program into the most commercial in the world, flying everything from small satellites to large communications satellites and even the first space tourists.The Rebirth of the Russian Space Program covers the years 2000 to 2006. The book provides: a balanced account of all the past, present and future key elements of the Russian space program; details of manned and unmanned military programs; launchers, engines, facilities, infrastructure, policy and personalities; statistical material on Russian space developments. This is a remarkable story of recovery, resurgence and fresh promise. Fifty years after Sputnik, the dream lives on.