Comments on: Confusion in Russia’s space program

By: Edward

Edward — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 00:28:43 +0000

It is obvious that centralizing (read: “nationalizing”) its space program has resulted in decline (and confusion), rather than improvement.

When you give the government control, all you will get in return is what the government wants, not what you wanted. This is happening to the Russian space program, right now.

By: Robert Zimmerman

Robert Zimmerman — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 08:15:41 +0000

In reply to Blair Ivey. The project might be silly, but Fenix is Russia's phonetic spelling of Phoenix, so it isn't as silly a name as it first appears.

By: pzatchok

pzatchok — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 07:37:46 +0000

These heavy lift rockets are stupid. Maybe in the future they will be economic and viable but not today.

I would rather make 15 10 ton lifts and risk one or two to destruction than hope one big lift goes well.
It would be cheaper and we need the zero G construction experience more than massive ground construction experience.

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 04:39:14 +0000

Their economy is due to shrink this year, in part because of low worldwide oil prices. They are not financially strong.

By: hondo

hondo — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 03:21:13 +0000

So much talent – so much potential and resources too boot! And yet …. can’t figure them out. Do have a lot of beautiful women though.

By: Blair Ivey

Blair Ivey — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 23:48:47 +0000

“Our competitors are on our heels.”

This is true because the Russians have been lapped.

And ‘Fenix’? Really? Who names these things? Sounds like ‘Felix (it’s the neat rocket)’. Maybe the Russians should let NATO have a crack at naming their rockets. My understanding is that the Russian military takes great interest in the code names NATO assigns. Some they like (Flanker, Foxbat), some they’re less than pleased with (Frogfoot, Bison).