Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Another Big Picture: The Russian Space Program

This week's Big Picture takes us to Baikonur Cosmodrome, launch facility for the Russian Space program. You can see a mockup of the Russian Space Shuttle in the background as this Soyuz is transported to the launch pad.
When the Shuttle retires in 2010, they are the only ticket to ride to the International Space Station for about five years until we get our new manned launch vehicles ready.

I am so used to seeing U.S. rocket design that I find it fascinating to look at other countries space programs. Everything looks different. Some of the differences are cosmetic, but there are also some different approaches to design evident.

Be sure to check out all the pictures.
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7 comments:

  1. Huck FinnSeptember 30, 2008 at 12:25 PM

    Not sure I'm seeing what you're seeing. Either Russians have gotten huge, or their rockets have gotten small. Surely this tiny rocket isn't going to lift a man carrying capsule

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  2. kkditherSeptember 30, 2008 at 1:09 PM

    Very cool. Looking at the pictures, I could never do it. I'm way too claustrophobic. I don't even like elevators.

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  3. hale-boppSeptember 30, 2008 at 1:37 PM

    Yep, Huck. This will launch people into orbit...see the guy standing to the side. It's a pretty good sized rocket.

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  4. Huck FinnSeptember 30, 2008 at 2:03 PM

    I was looking at the guy standing next to the rocket on the railcar platform. Right to the left of the exhaust. That's a puny rocket.

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  5. drewzepmeisterSeptember 30, 2008 at 8:16 PM

    Nice pics,hale. I especially liked #20 with Earth's afterglow.

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  6. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2008 at 8:33 PM

    Looks like a parallel 5/parallel 4 rocket cluster.

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  7. SEROctober 1, 2008 at 3:45 PM

    Very cool pics...I wonder if the Russians drink Tang in space?

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