Age of the Space Planes Is Coming

 

According to the site RussianSpaceWeb.com [paid subscription], Ruscosmos has started an intense investigation into and engineering of small space planes, similar to the US military’s X-37 project. In effect, these will be similar to a miniaturized and updated version of the space shuttles of old. News of this new interest was first voiced by Roscosmos minister Mr. Rogozin in an interview with PIA News, on 7 August 2020.

“…need to create a reusable ship of a different design — something along the lines of Byrana [Soviet space shuttle] with the ability to land it on an airstrip. I have given such a task to our engineers. The corporation “Energia” and other collectives will now be offering [us] these types of variants on space technology.” Minister Rogozin

This announcement was made during a presentation of planning for the next ten years of space developments by Roscosmos. Amoungst other ambitious projects for the next decade was the construction of a Russian only space station, new lunar missions and equipment for those missions, new super heavy lift rockets and an overall injection of drive into the space industry and related technologies.

These automated space planes will be used to perform various tasks, such as repairs and inspections of satellites and delivery of very sensitive satellites into orbit. As well, such minishuttles can be used directly for spying and reconnaissance of opponents. It is also not beyond the imagination that they could be used as weapons platforms, whether with kinetic or electro-kinetic weapons to destroy satellites and other ships in low orbit, or as missile carriers to drop ordnance directly down on enemies. At this point, globally only the S500 system coming into production would have the capacity to defend against such attacks and would be able to close a countries low orbit space.

What is known of foreign projects : american and chinese, is that their models have a mass of 5–12 tons and an ability to carry 1–5 tons of cargo into low orbit. Roscosmos has set a goal of 2022 to have the target company chosen, along with its project and the completion of the engineering works.

Of course, if one followed the development of other projects such as the hypersonic missiles and low mass, long range cruise missiles or the Armata tanks that Russia has fielded, one would expect that work had begun several years before any such announcements and was already well underway if not in closing stages. However, Mr. Rogozin and Roscosmos have a tendency of talking a lot but showing much more curtailed or limited results. This is quite the opposite of Minister Shaigu and the Ministry of Defense. Only time will tell.

Russian Produce Truth

 

Many in the West, thanks to endless MSM propaganda stretching back decades, earnestly believe that Russia and Russians are a half starved and poverty ridden. This was of course true in the 90s, but not from lack of products but from lack of money.

Those stereotypes, of course, need severe updating. Through the restoration of the 2000s and 2010s salaries grew quickly and were paid. Variety of products also grew. Imports made up about 16%. Often the imports made little sense, such as polish apples when Russia grows incredible volumes of apples. Often it was due to the bribes being paid by foreign companies.

After the start of the New Cold War and the Russian counter sanctions , which in turn crushed many of these European exporters, the western press and the liberal voice in Russia started screaming that Russia was going to starve by Oct 2014... 2015....2016....oh never mind. Needless to say they were not only disappointed by the lack of starvation but also shocked when the Russian agriculture sector grew 16% in 2014 alone and Russia quickly rose to become their biggest competitor on a host of goods.

 

Russia is the world's biggest exporter of wheat, but also in the top exporters of rice, barely, oats, pork, chicken and now many processed foods.

Russian manufacturers took up the challenge and closed those gaps created when the imports were heavily curtailed. Sure, the first years quality was often questionable, but competition and the tightening of laws have pulled up quality greatly. Banning of GMOs and the forced ouster of vegetable oils from dairy products, found most profoundly in the Western brands manufactured in Russia, has also gone a long way.

There are countless small grocery chains in Russia and 5 major ones on the order of Super Walmarts: Ashan, Okey, Lenta, Metro, Globas. These are not stores only found in Moscow? as the masters of propaganda would have you believe, but in all cities.

As my personal experience has shown, it is pointless to explain with words these things to foreigners, as the indoctrination is to strong. To explain to my western audience, especially Americans, that Russians have 3-4 times as many choices as they do, is beyond the psychological comprehension of many. As such, I provide you with pictures.

The pictures below are from Okey and show only a few lanes: meat products (processed), cheeses, yogurts and yogurt drinks. Enjoy.

 

Cheese isles:

Cottage cheeses and sour creams

Processed meats:

More Cheese:

Yogurts and yogurt drinks:

Real bread, baked on site daily for 1 Euro or $1.30.