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+--- Thread: Domestic newspaper warns of Russian space program’s “rapid collapse” (engineering) (/thread-11459.html)
Domestic newspaper warns of Russian space program’s “rapid collapse” (engineering) - C C - Dec 19, 2021
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/12/a-state-aligned-russian-newspaper-reviews-the-space-program-and-its-scathing/
EXCERPTS: A long and strikingly critical article that reviews the state of the Russian space program was published in the state-aligned newspaper MK this week.
None of the findings in the 2,800-word article were particularly surprising. Western observers who track the Russian space industry realize the program is deeply troubled, and to a great extent running on the fumes of its past and very real glory. What is notable, however, is that a major Russian media outlet has published such a revelatory article for a domestic audience.
Increasingly, Russia's space program seeks to project its greatness in space through symbolic acts rather than technological achievements [...] But now it has been called out on these acts in a publication closely aligned with the Russian government.
[...] The article, translated for Ars by Rob Mitchell, is titled "The Space Program Is Rotting from Within." It begins with the declaration that Russia's space program has a shortage of competent and highly qualified staff, obsolete facilities and technology, and "systemic leadership weakness." And that's just the opening paragraph.
Popov goes on to state that Russian space companies are delinquent on promised deliveries for hundreds of contracts. [...] Popov said Roscosmos is struggling even to build its mainstay vehicles, the Soyuz rockets and Progress spacecraft. ... Popov further expressed concern about reliance on Germany to help fuel the Soyuz rocket and the Soyuz spacecraft that launches humans.
[...] The article also discusses the Vostochny Cosmodrome, a spaceport in eastern Russia that has been a priority for President Vladimir Putin. However this project, under Rogozin's stewardship, has been beset by construction delays and corruption, such as embezzlement... (MORE - missing details)