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As I noted in July, the support of my readers through the years has given me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.

 

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Russia imposes new restrictions on any reporting of Roscosmos

According to this report of today’s launch by Russia of a movie crew to ISS, Putin’s government has just passed new restrictions on reporting of its space effort by Russian citizens, either in or out of Russia.

The new regulations, which took effect on September 29, 2021, essentially prohibit Russians from reporting on the Russian space program outside of Russia. Violators of these regulations will be classified as “foreign agents” — which would create numerous legal issues for Russian citizens.

Specifically, the new regulations target the field of military and technical activities that are not related to or connected in any way with state secrets but which, with vague language, “can be used against Russia.” Most of the activities on the newly released list by the FSB specifically focus on Roscosmos. Prohibited topics of reporting regarding Roscosmos now include information on investigations conducted by the agency, the organization’s financials, condition of rockets and ground support equipment, development plans for Roscosmos vehicles, Roscosmos’ cooperation with other nations for space activities, and new technologies.

These rules essentially forbid Russian citizens from publishing almost anything that Roscosmos itself does not publish. If they do so without permission from outside the country, returning to Russia will become very problematic.

Genesis cover

On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.

 

The print edition can be purchased at Amazon. from any other book seller, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.


The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
 

"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News

6 comments

  • Jay

    Looks like the Russians are going back to their Soviet roots. They don’t want anyone to question their quality control techniques.
    I feel sorry for Anatoly Zak who runs the Russian Space website, he will probably have to throttle it down on reporting or shut down. I know Baikonur Cosmodrome is leased property by the Russians in Kazakhstan, but will they limit the space tourism there now?

  • Col Beausabre

    “Looks like the Russians are going back to their Soviet roots.”

    What do expect from a Colonel of the KGB (With Xi in China trying to be Mao 2.0, has anyone heard an apology from Francis Fukuyama?)

    “returning to Russia will become very problematic.”

    Oh, please don’t throw me in that briar patch. I mean what’s not to like about that outcome (except for Putin’s goons trying to kill you)?

  • Alex Andrite

    Col B.
    If I recall B.Rabbit proclaimed the same, “please don’t throw me in that briar patch !”.
    Was that not where he actually desired to be thrown ?

    I better brush up on my Uncle Remus stories.
    But then they all may have been burned by now.

  • wayne

    Col Beausabre–
    Thanks for bringing that up–> “KGB Colonel.”

  • wayne

    The Death of Stalin (2017)
    clip: ‘Lavrentiy Beria; I have documents on all of you”
    https://youtu.be/–HXlMZvdl8
    2:49

  • Col Beausabre

    An excellent 46 minute BBC docudrama – Who Killed Stalin?

    https://youtu.be/9cdQv2qSN_k

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