Reaction to Failed Russian Probe Highlights the Shifting Landscape in Space Exploration

The attention given to the watery fate of the disappointing Russian Phobos ground probe last weekend highlights the shifting dynamic between the space programs of East and West. What would have once been cast as a terrifying prospect, this Russian vessel with a Chinese satellite attached is now looked at disappointingly for failing to live up to its billing. Had the mission been successful in is mission to Mars; it would have provided a huge degree of information on the Red Planet and its largest moon. The intended purpose of the Phobos probe was to scoop up rock from Mars’ moon and provide clues as to its origin. The Chinese satellite Yinghuo-1 was constructed to orbit Mars in order to study the planet’s surface, atmosphere, ionosphere and magnetic field. It was with dismay therefore that observers looked on as the rocket failed to get out of Earth’s orbit. There was further disappointment as controllers could not establish contact with the rocket to diagnose the problems, leading to something of a damp squib as it fell back to Earth on Sunday somewhere off of Chile in the Pacific. Moreover, having celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s historic launch, the past twelve months has seen several failed Russian projects.

Where particular interest lies however, is that in spite of these recent disappointments, the Russian Space program is enjoying something of a renaissance in terms of its profile and scientific importance. Moreover, the burgeoning Chinese; and perhaps even the steadily growing Indian program will increasingly contribute to launches of particular scientific interest. This growth in profile is largely by default, and a by-product of the decline in NASA’s funding. The economic downturn has caused discontent amongst many Americans towards any unessential government funded projects, and this has not been good news for space exploration. It is against this backdrop that the Appropriations Bill in November of 2011 was signed, signalling a 648 million dollar funding cut from NASA’s budget in 2011. Having to concentrate funds on pet projects such as the James Webb telescope (the anointed successor the Hubble) American long range missions will be heavily compromised for the immediate future, and potentially even longer.

With little choice therefore, it is believed the coming years will see an unprecedented level of cooperation between international space programs. The Russian Soyuz spacecraft is currently the only manned vessel capable of taking Astronauts to the International Space Station, and resultantly the US will likely play second fiddle in piggy-backing on to Russian launches if it wishes to contribute to long range missions. For anyone with even a vague understanding of the history of the two space programs, this will prove absolutely fascinating. Whereas space technology and progress was originally fuelled by competition for military superiority and national prestige, cost-cutting and budget restraints now dictate that a new period of cooperative launches is inevitable.

Concerns have been expressed from some quarters regarding the Soviet-era technology behind the Soyuz craft, and it is therefore fitting that the Phobos module was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome – the same site that Vostok1 launched Yuri Gagarin into becoming the first human into Space, and also from which the success of the original Sputnik satellite arguably started the ‘Space Race’. The site is a fascinating case-study, with a dual dynamic of being simultaneously a world-class launch facility and an undeniable relic of the Soviet period. The Cosmdrome was even misleadingly named by the Soviet Union in order to misdirect the West as to its location, as ‘Baikonur’ is actually a small mining town some 200 miles away. Located in former Soviet territory in Southern Kazakhstan, the land is now annually leased to Russia.

Observing rocket launches is nothing new for both enthusiasts, and simply those wishing to see a spectacle. Many are likely already familiar with the popularity of American Cape Canaveral launches, due to the ease with which Florida is accessible and the wealth of holiday opportunities in the ‘Sunshine State’. What is currently unsure however is the degree to which the lack of long distance and crewed missions will alter the level of interest from those wishing to witness a meaningful launch. Indeed, it seems that Baikonur will not only remain a fascinating place to visit for historical reasons, but also because it has now become the primary world launch site for crewed launches. Taking advantage of this increased focus on Russian launches is tour provider Astro Trails (www.astro-trails.com) who are anticipating this increased demand, and planning an expedition to observe a manned Soyuz launch in May-June 2012 from the Cosmodrome.  Product Executive Nick Whitfield excitedly explained that “Baikonur’s location in Southern Kazakhstan not only provides an opportunity to observe a manned launch and explore the oldest and largest launch facility in the world, but also visit the ancient cities of the Silk Road.”