TLT news , a Russian news site reports that in the year 2006, Russia out numbers all other nations by grabbing a huge 45% in the spacecraft launches.But in the next year Russian scientists they are only planning to send 20 launches in the next year (2007)
the head of the Federal Space Agency, Anatoly Perminov said Russia would allocate 24 billion rubles (about 2.3 million) for their prestigious federal space program 2007.The United States is at second place by 20 launches.Japan and channel follows the two withﾂ six launches each.
“We have no doubt that in 2009 we will complete the GLONASS network, which consists of 24 satellites, and (precise) navigation will be possible anywhere on Earth,” Perminov said.
He also urged countries involved in space exploration to develop international rules for cleaning up “space garbage”.
“We need a system of international measures for regulating the clean-up of space garbage,” Perminov said adding, “Unfortunately, it does not exist at present, but we are discussing it.”
You have to put the innovation in the context of that the US Space Program spent millions of dollars developing a pressurized pen that would write upside down wheras all the Soviets realized you had to do was simply use a pencil in space.
Comment by Max Rubin — December 30, 2006 @ 11:34 am
The space pen/ pencil urban myth was debunked long ago
Comment by mike — December 30, 2006 @ 3:37 pm
Max, that is an urban legend, sorry. The developement of the Fisher AG-7 ‘Space Pen’ was started before the US space program ever saw a need for such an invention. The roots traces back to the early fifties, in fact.
That NASA used it was more a coincidence due to availability more than anything else. Also look up the story behind the Omega Speedmaster and its place in the American space program. Same story: It was available, passed quality testing and did the job, so NASA used it.
Comment by John D. Mythbuster — December 30, 2006 @ 4:03 pm
Max, the pressurized pen story is a myth. NASA never contracted anyone to develop such a pen. It was independently developed by Fischer. Up to that point everyone, including the Americans used pencils. And besides, there is no upside down in space. It is low-gravity.
Comment by Nikhil Murgai — December 30, 2006 @ 4:07 pm
Debunking details on snopes.com at http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/spacepen.asp
Comment by Chris Uhlik — December 30, 2006 @ 5:09 pm
24 billion rubles is not about 2.3 million dollars but its 911 million US dollars according to the Google currency converter.
Comment by Mike — December 31, 2006 @ 12:48 am
24 billion roubles is not 2.3 million USD. The current rate is about 26.5 roubles per a buck. That would make it more than 900 million USD.
Comment by Sergei — December 31, 2006 @ 11:28 am
Any stats on total tonnage lifted to orbit by each nation?
Comment by Steve — December 31, 2006 @ 2:21 pm
Have you ever tried the “Space Pen”? I love it. I sometimes need to take notes on something, while standing, and putting pressure on a wal–ball points don’t cut it. And pencils are always broke.
Comment by chaplainandrews — January 1, 2007 @ 1:54 pm
Payload to orbit is another metric to look at. Last year the Soviets launched about 60klbs and the USA about 80klbs, to LEO and beyond.
Using more launchers to put less payload into orbit isn’t all that impressive an achievement.
(And note: I’m not including the weight of the Shuttle Orbiters, at about 100,000+ pounds each, that went to orbit and back).
Comment by Ed — January 4, 2007 @ 5:54 am
why would one need to take notes in space? Why not just speak into a tape recorder?
Comment by no_tv — January 4, 2007 @ 8:53 am
Your idea seems to be nice, but if one need to do calculations and related stuff, you surely need to write it down.
Comment by knight17 — January 5, 2007 @ 11:40 pm
はじめます
例の納豆のやらせ問題…結構話題になりましたよね。
スーパーからは納豆が消えたらしいですし。
とはいえ、納豆って普通に良いものですし、毎日食べたら体にいいはずなんです
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