Date: Satursday 9th January 2027
Time: 14:00 GMT
Title: Can Russia Still Afford a Space Programme?
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Content:
Russia’s civilian space budget has fallen to only £3bn a year, less than the US, China, Europe and Japan. Projects have been delayed for years and space science has suffered. Despite that, Russia has maintained its commitment to the International Space Station and re-built its ground infrastructure. It has a solid fleet of applications satellites for communications, navigation and Earth observation. The new Russian Orbital Station (ROS) is in preparation, designed to last up to 50 years. A Russian nuclear reactor will fuel the China-led International Lunar Research Station. New rockets (Amur, Soyuz 5) and piloted spacecraft (Orel) are in the pipeline. Its engines are still world leaders. The talk will provide a review of the past, current and future Russian space programme, its personalities, strengths, weaknesses and driving forces.
Speaker: Brian Harvey
Brian Harvey is an writer, broadcaster, and journalist specialising in spaceflight and space exploration.