SpaceX takes the lead: what does it mean for Russian space

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American astronauts Dag Hurley and Bob Benken (right) moved from the Crew Dragon to the ISS. They were met by US astronaut Chris Cassidy and Russian cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Wagner. Thus, the launch of SpaceX's latest spacecraft has been recognized as fully successful.

What conclusion can be drawn from this whole story? Yes, for the past 9 years, Americans have been forced to fly into space on the Russian Soyuz, but while we proudly used the legacy of the great space industry of the USSR, US private business launched several promising programs at once. This and SpaceX with its Falcon 9 launch vehicles and heavy Falcon Heavythis and the Blue Origin with a heavy rocket New glennas well as a suborbital ship New shepardthis is Virgin Galactic with her spaceship SpaceShipTwoBoeing with his ship Starliner, and a number of other companies and projects.



Elon Mask, no matter what he says, managed to create a truly revolutionary model for sending astronauts and cargo into space. The return stages of Falcon series launch vehicles, the ultra-modern Crew Dragon spacecraft, spacesuits for astronauts, as if taken from the fantastic movie Interstellar ... Add to this, albeit unsuccessful, but still ongoing trials of the promising Starship heavy ship, which created to colonize Mars.

We are still flying on Soyuz ships, albeit modernized, but still in the 60s of development. The same applies to the launch vehicle, the family of which originated more than 50 years ago.

Someone will say: flies, well, okay ... The main thing is reliability! However, space has always been and will be a place of advanced of technologies, and it was here that we managed to fall behind. It is good that so far only from the USA, because China is also developing its space programs with leaps and bounds. Recently Beijing запустил a modern heavy-class rocket Long March-5B, and a year earlier it landed its lunar rover on a natural satellite of the Earth.

Roskosmos, meanwhile, can offer nothing but vague promises. Spaceship "Federation" (aka “Oryol”) has been under development for 11 years, and the first manned flight is scheduled as early as 2025 ... Keyword - scheduled ...

The Angara launch vehicle, which was supposed to be “our all,” doesn’t really fly. Commercial exploitation of a middle-class launch vehicle "Irtysh" (she is Soyuz-5), according to all the same promises of Roskosmos, will begin no earlier than 2024. About the superheavy rocket Yenisei and do not have to say at all yet - this is the prospect of the 2030s.

The fact that in the coming years the Americans, and possibly even the Chinese, will break ahead in the number of commercial missile launches into space can hardly be called into question. Russia will inevitably lose the lion's share of the market, because the most important thing is lost - time. It’s possible to make it up, however, not today and not now.
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  1. -2
    31 May 2020 22: 42
    Oh, the author of the article is now the local audience throws rotten eggs ...

    But in fact, everything is correct. "Soyuz" (both the rocket and the ship) - the technique is certainly excellent and reliable. But this is no less old. And its reliability should not be an excuse for Russia's lack of more modern delivery systems.
    1. +4
      1 June 2020 08: 08
      USA - the flight time to the ISS is more than a day, Russia on the "old SOYUZAKH" - the flight time lasted 3 hours and 21 minutes.
      Well, what the United States has done, Russia has been doing for 60 years.
      1. The comment was deleted.
  2. +1
    31 May 2020 23: 53
    Do you think Americans can count money? At the moment it is known that they purchased several flights on Russian missiles. The cost of a full cycle is about 90-100 million dollars per astronaut. The launch of Dragon seems to cost 50 million and three astronauts fly.
    Something does not fit ...
    1. +1
      1 June 2020 00: 30
      The Americans are buying seats at the Soyuz for reinsurance - in case something goes wrong with the Dragons or Starliners. Plus, astronauts and cosmonauts must be able to work with all vehicles used on the ISS. Ours will also master their ships. Most likely, it will be barter.
    2. +2
      1 June 2020 00: 32
      Dragon launch seems to cost 50 million

      50 million is the cost of one seat on Dragon, not a launch.
    3. -1
      6 June 2020 07: 43
      At the moment it is known that they purchased several flights on Russian missiles.

      At the moment, it is known that they bought one flight on a Russian rocket for a female astronaut before the end of October this year.
  3. 0
    1 June 2020 04: 00
    SpaceX takes the lead: what does it mean for Russian space

    - And for the Russian space, it threatens with a fall in prices (not only a fall in oil prices is extremely negative for Russia) ... - a fall in prices by ... by ... by ... mmmm; how to define it more clearly, this "unit of space services"; which Roskosmos is only able to provide recently ... - instead of real space exploration ... - Probably, it will do ... - "space passenger seat" ... - this is what Roscosmos can provide to everyone who wants to visit Space .. .; those. -transportation to Space ... and ... and ... back to Earth ...
    Well ... - It's just that the price of this Russian "space passenger seat" will fall in price (like a barrel of oil) ... - and Roscosmos will have to carry tourists for nothing ...
    - This is what threatens the Russian space with any success of the Americans in the "space industry" ...
  4. -1
    1 June 2020 04: 12
    It seems that Merikos used a trampoline instead of a trampoline!

  5. The comment was deleted.
  6. +2
    1 June 2020 08: 03
    It is impossible to embrace the immensity, like everything has its time. Russia is scrambling out of the pit where our wise men liberals, champions of the West, shoved it into the 90s. The unevenness in the development of not only capitalism has not gone anywhere. The main thing is to work calmly, not to spoil the fever and not to hysteria.
    1. -2
      1 June 2020 21: 49
      Russia is scrambling out of the pit where our wise men liberals, champions of the West, shoved it into the 90s.

      A discrepancy in the dates is obtained. And is it the dates? If in 2014 sanctions were introduced, 2014 minus the 90s, it turns out 24 years. Want to say that in 24 years a country cannot get out of the hole? After the war for 5-7 years she was able, but after the transition to capitalism - no? For 24 years? And still the same managers? Well, the people ... !!!!
      1. 123
        0
        2 June 2020 12: 47
        A discrepancy in the dates is obtained. And is it the dates? If in 2014 sanctions were introduced, 2014 minus the 90s, it turns out 24 years. Want to say that in 24 years a country cannot get out of the hole?

        The nineties is the period from 1990 to 1999. I do not quite understand the essence of your manipulations with numbers. request. How 2014 fits in here is a mystery to me. If you think that with the introduction of sanctions in 2014 we stopped doing this, then you are mistaken. In addition, then it turns out 2020 we take 6 years (rehabilitation), it turns out 2014, it turns out 1990. We still started to get out of the pit under Gorbachev? belay
        It’s not true to think that they were chosen in the 90s.
        It turns out that "getting out of the hole" is 14 years old. USA, if anything, it took 11 years to prepare the flight. This is the first economy in the world for 11 years, catching up with the gas station country?
        In addition, Russia did not have an urgent need to create a new ship in the shortest possible time, there is something to fly on, and there are more important priorities. Hypersound is mastered. When the American appears, do not tell?

        After the war for 5-7 years she was able, but after the transition to capitalism - no?

        How do you feel confident that in 1982 the country has fully recovered, it is not clear. request In addition, if we compare the losses, it is not yet known when they lost more. After the war, the USSR did not lose territory, how many resources and industry remained abroad.
        According to the 1989 census, the population of the USSR is 286 million people, in 1991 the population of Russia was 148 million. Minus 138 million, almost half. This is 5 times more than in the Great Patriotic War.

        Well, the people ... !!!!

        Here you are right. Yes Our people are wonderful. good
  7. +2
    1 June 2020 13: 13
    I have nothing against the Little Dragon, I just remember that after the Shuttle’s first launch, the neighbors boasted through the puddle that nothing more was needed now.
    1. 0
      1 June 2020 13: 30
      Yes, they boasted so loudly that the USSR decided to catch up ...
      1. 0
        1 June 2020 22: 34
        They boasted so loudly that they dropped the Shuttle with the crew and closed the manned program. The dragon has yet to return to earth and repeat success with new flights. And then the prices of the Unions can be increased if the Americans want to live.
        1. +1
          1 June 2020 22: 43
          The Soviets also dropped the descent capsule ... Nobody is safe from tragedies.
          1. -1
            1 June 2020 22: 53
            Capsules fly, but no shuttles!
            1. +1
              1 June 2020 22: 56
              The Space Shuttle program is significantly more expensive in itself. Both the launch and the shuttle service. The construction of one such colossus cannot be compared with the cost of the same Crew Dragon. For its time, it was a revolutionary project.
      2. 123
        0
        2 June 2020 12: 48
        Yes, they boasted so loudly that the USSR decided to catch up ...

        Maybe now they are counting on the same? Are you being pulled into a space race?
  8. -1
    1 June 2020 21: 56
    The author of the article is right - the country must live within its means. The funds allow - invest in space or something else prestigious, there is not enough money - they cost what they have.
    1. +1
      1 June 2020 22: 40
      When the United States does not have enough funds, they increase public debt and live beyond their means.
      1. +1
        1 June 2020 22: 45
        Well, if they lend, why not borrow? Washington does not force other countries to buy up their securities ...
        1. -1
          1 June 2020 22: 52
          Washington is not forcing them to dump them right now.
          1. +1
            1 June 2020 22: 53
            So they bring income, why throw off? Only Russia refused their papers, the rest are holding.
            1. 0
              1 June 2020 22: 57
              This is an open fantasy)) even NATO Allies dump this rubbish.
              1. +1
                1 June 2020 22: 57
                Yes? Will there be examples or so, for the sake of a red word?
                1. -3
                  1 June 2020 22: 59
                  Trying to provoke a flood off topic and ban? Have a bite! Fairy tales about the Dragon are enough!
                  1. 0
                    2 June 2020 08: 57
                    What a pathetic attempt to get away from the answer ...
                2. 123
                  -1
                  2 June 2020 13: 08
                  Yes? Will there be examples or so, for the sake of a red word?

                  Will such go?

                  Of the 33 countries - the largest lenders to the American economy - only Japan (3,4 billion), Switzerland (1,3), Taiwan (4,1), the Philippines (1,3) and Australia (1,8) increased investments. The central banks of developing countries were actively selling US treasury bonds - it took them dollars to support the falling national currencies amid the coronavirus crisis.
                  The largest seller was Saudi Arabia - the kingdom got rid of treasuries for $ 25,3 billion. In Brazil and India, indicators are slightly less - 21,5 and 21 billion, respectively.

                  https://ria.ru/20200519/1571634837.html
                  1. 0
                    2 June 2020 13: 22
                    Fine. But how does this fit with the statement that ...

                    even NATO allies dump this rubbish.

                    Huh?
                    1. 123
                      +1
                      2 June 2020 13: 42
                      Fine. But how does this fit with the statement that ...
                      even NATO allies dump this rubbish.
                      Huh?

                      I apologize. hi I copied incorrectly, the links were similar open.

                      Interestingly, many treasuries have also sold out. Belgium (it is considered as the source of China's offshore investments), hedge funds of the Cayman Islands and Saudi Arabia.

                      https://ria.ru/20191223/1562659296.html

                      I came across information about England, but to look for laziness.
        2. 123
          0
          2 June 2020 12: 57
          Well, if they lend, why not borrow? Washington does not force other countries to buy up their securities ...

          They are being bought less and less. Queues from those who wish are not observed.

          Of the 33 countries - the largest lenders to the American economy - only Japan (3,4 billion), Switzerland (1,3), Taiwan (4,1), the Philippines (1,3) and Australia (1,8) increased investments.
          1. +1
            2 June 2020 13: 24
            Was the conversation about building up? Comrade Tokarev said that even the allies are dumping American "trash papers". He did not provide evidence and merged himself ...
            1. 123
              0
              2 June 2020 13: 44
              Was the conversation about building up? Comrade Tokarev said that even the allies are dumping American "trash papers". He did not provide evidence and merged himself ...

              Link about Belgium under another comment. hi
              1. +1
                2 June 2020 15: 07
                Link about Belgium under another comment.

                Oh how. That is, a link to some article from RIA Novosti, where one sentence on the topic of Belgium is written, and even without specifics - is this, in your opinion, a source of information? Well then, you are a very limited person. Here is another reference:

                https://ticdata.treasury.gov/Publish/mfh.txt

                This is the official website of the US Federal Reserve. As of March 2020, Belgium held over $ 206 billion in American treasuries. A year earlier - 186 billion. That is, Europeans on the contrary purchased. Learn about health ...
                1. 123
                  +1
                  2 June 2020 15: 20
                  Oh how. That is, a link to some article from RIA Novosti, where one sentence on the topic of Belgium is written, and even without specifics - is this your source of information? Well then, you are a very limited person. Here is another reference:

                  https://ticdata.treasury.gov/Publish/mfh.txt

                  This is the official website of the US Federal Reserve. As of March 2020, Belgium held over $ 206 billion in American treasuries. A year earlier - 186 billion. That is, Europeans on the contrary purchased. Learn about health ...

                  The question is not so fundamental as to present certificates with seals. But if you like it more ... Thank you, I studied it. hi Belgium: March 2020 - 206,1; February 2020 - 208. There, by the way, England, Canada, Germany and further on the list, everyone has less.
                  What does a year ago? Do they trade once a year? If you mean a fiscal year, so it ends in September.
                  Learn to work with information. Do not give thanks. hi
                  1. +1
                    2 June 2020 15: 30
                    The question is not so fundamental as to present certificates with seals.

                    Cool moved out!

                    if you like it more ...

                    Yes, I generally side by side with what you read there. But only until you start to carry this nonsense to the masses ...

                    There, by the way, England, Canada, Germany and further on the list, everyone has less.

                    Any statistics are disclosed over time. In March, the country could sell $ 2 billion, and in April buy for $ 5 billion. But people like you will scream, looking at the March statistics that "the US allies are draining the national debt." UK + 80 billion, Japan + 200 billion, Canada + 3 billion, Switzerland + 20 billion, Netherlands + 6 billion, France + 45 billion and so on. Has it become less? Put on the glasses, or wipe the existing ones ...

                    Learn to work with information. Don't thank

                    It's funny)) This is written to me by a person who uses RIA Novosti as an American Treasury source ... And when you send him official data, he leaves the topic like a teenager who is lying.
                    1. 123
                      +1
                      2 June 2020 15: 56
                      Cool moved out!

                      How can. Why did you move out?

                      Yes, I generally side by side with what you read there. But only until you start to carry this nonsense to the masses ...

                      And what is the nonsense? The question was - they are selling, they are not selling. The amount decreased, then sold. You did not ask whether the amount decreased compared to the same period last year.

                      Any statistics are disclosed in dynamics. In March, the country could sell $ 2 billion, and in April to buy $ 5 billion.

                      First, you yourself have proposed statistics for March. Secondly, not to purchase them now. Pandemic, everyone needs money to support their own economy. If only they push and force.

                      But people like you will scream when they look at the March statistics that "US allies are draining the national debt."

                      Is that not so? By the way, I didn’t say anything like that. You can squeal that everything is wonderful and the queue is worth it. Here are just the numbers to the contrary.

                      Great Britain + 80 billion, Japan + 200 billion, Canada + 3 billion, Switzerland + 20 billion, the Netherlands + 6 billion, France + 45 billion and so on. Is it less? Wear glasses or wipe existing ones ...

                      Thank you for your concern, so far I am doing without glasses. Yes, someone is selling, someone is buying.
                      I repeat, the question was - are the Allies selling or not. What, Germany and England are no longer allies? Let Japan and others buy it, statistics are inexorable, general figures: March 6810,1; February - 7066,7 For the month minus 256,6.

                      Funny)) This is written to me by a person who uses RIA Novosti as a source for American treasuries ...

                      You will not believe it, but nothing has changed due to a change in the source of information. I found the first link I got. It was a comment, not an annual report.
                      Glad I cheered you up. hi
  9. 0
    2 June 2020 12: 50
    I ask you not to arrange battles with adherents of the sect of admirers of Ilon Mask, we congratulate them and go about our business.
  10. 123
    0
    2 June 2020 13: 17
    Elon Mask, no matter what he says, managed to create a truly revolutionary model for sending astronauts and cargo into space. The return stages of Falcon series launch vehicles, the ultra-modern Crew Dragon spacecraft, spacesuits for astronauts, as if taken from the fantastic movie Interstellar ... Add to this, albeit unsuccessful, but still ongoing trials of the promising Starship heavy ship, which created to colonize Mars.

    Excuse my curiosity, what is "revolutionary"? Delivery is carried out on good old rockets and still in a capsule, albeit a larger one.
    If we discard the "husk" about "supermodern" and other enthusiastic sighs, what do we have in stock?
    The reusable ship Dragon. The ship, apparently, is not bad, reusable is also good, but what is revolutionary? Is this the first reusable ship? Compared with the previous generation (Shuttle, Buran) it is rather a step back.
    Returnable launch vehicle stages? But the idea is not new, but it is implemented, but the idea of ​​returning part of the ship is not a revolution. Moreover, economic efficiency is still doubtful. By the way, is the launch cost announced?
    So far I've only seen this:

    Release initially valued at over 3 billion dollarsBut after the transfer is still more expensive. This is the first astronaut launch in a long time from the United States and the first NASA mission in history to be carried out by a private company.

    https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-52859714

    (the quote is not entirely accurate, the site considers the number Pi to be abusive and does not miss).

    I understand the cost of the program? If this is the cost of launch, then ......
    Three billion plus taxpayers .. The show was not the cheapest.
    Here, the technical and financial details were voiced (fans of the Mask are not recommended for viewing, for them it's almost profanity)

    1. +1
      2 June 2020 13: 27
      Returnable launch vehicle stages? But the idea is not new, but it is implemented, but the idea of ​​returning part of the ship is not a revolution.

      Ahah! Class! That is, when and if the Tsiolkovsky space elevator will be implemented, you say - Pf! The idea is not new! What is revolutionary ??!
      1. 123
        0
        2 June 2020 13: 48
        Ahah! Class! That is, when and if the Tsiolkovsky space elevator will be implemented, you say - Pf! The idea is not new! What is revolutionary ??!

        Excuse me generously, but apart from enthusiastic Ahah! Class! I still don't see any arguments in support of "revolutionism". hi
        As for the elevator, it will really be a revolution and a huge breakthrough in technology. Or has someone already exploited this?
        1. +1
          2 June 2020 14: 55
          Or has someone already exploited this?

          So far, no one has operated the return stage, except SpaceX. They are the first, this is revolutionism. The guys use it several times. Crazy savings.
          1. 123
            0
            2 June 2020 15: 02
            So far, no one has operated the return stage, except SpaceX. They are the first, this is revolutionism. The guys use it several times. Crazy savings.

            The idea is not new. Its implementation was not started, not only because of technical complexity, economic feasibility is doubtful. As for the frantic saving is not sure. Almost no data, one PR.
            1. +1
              2 June 2020 15: 11
              The idea is not new

              Yes, yes, I already wrote to you about this above - a space elevator will be built, tell me that the idea is not new ...
              1. +1
                2 June 2020 18: 07
                Ruslan, if it’s not difficult, show the statistics of reusable media and return stages, you can give the resulting economic effect from these developments. The numbers should be real, not predictable.
                1. +1
                  2 June 2020 18: 53
                  Here are the statistics of Falcon 9 launches: https://vk.cc/61Rx2W. Attention to the turquoise block. For example: B1048-5. Before the dash, the number of the step, after - the number of flights. Now there is a maximum of 5 flights.

                  1. 0
                    3 June 2020 04: 44
                    I see starts, they are not hidden, and even vice versa, I do not see the reuse factor. I hope it someday grows up.
                2. +1
                  21 June 2020 22: 47
                  Quote: nov_tech.vrn
                  Ruslan, if it’s not difficult, show the statistics of reusable media and return stages, you can give the resulting economic effect from these developments. The numbers should be real, not predictable.

                  You will NEVER get reliable numbers. Neither about launches of Falcons, nor about launches of our carriers. Until now, our official prices are monopolist prices. Who can guarantee that we did not twist fingers at all from customers, and hands at shoulders? Mask prices are the prices of competition and subsidies squeezed in the grip, received countlessly from NASA for the development of their project. He is FORCED to work out advances.
                  NASA needs reports to the government that they haven't thrown billions in the outhouse. They simply cannot help but receive beautiful reports, quite possibly fake, about the "prices" of the fosterling's work.
  11. +1
    21 June 2020 22: 41
    Quote: cmonman
    Russia is scrambling out of the pit where our wise men liberals, champions of the West, shoved it into the 90s.

    A discrepancy in the dates is obtained. And is it the dates? If in 2014 sanctions were introduced, 2014 minus the 90s, it turns out 24 years. Want to say that in 24 years a country cannot get out of the hole? After the war for 5-7 years she was able, but after the transition to capitalism - no? For 24 years? And still the same managers? Well, the people ... !!!!

    The USSR does not exist. Russia is one, the most essential, but a piece of the USSR. There are no legs, no arms, no kidneys .... Chunks that exist separately, and are trying to collect and fill in what is lost.
    If you tear off your left leg and right arm, how long will it take to recreate the whole?