Russian Space Agency
Introduction
Two world superpowers, the United States of America (USA), and the Soviet Union (RSSA) were in something called the cold war. This was not a real war but a competition to see which country was more advanced. In this war there was a competition called the space race. At the end of the space race, the USA and the RSSA called truce and the war ended. After a while the Soviet Union broke up into what is now Russia and several smaller, independent, countries. Now in place of the large RSSA there is the Russian Space Agency (RSA).
History
First, when the RSA was formed, they encountered a problem that the RSSA had too. This large problem was a lack of money and funds. This interfered with Russia’s project of landing a man on the moon, as it did with the Soviet’s. While trying to bring back more funds, the Agency began to launch more commercial satellites. Space flights for the benefit of science were more or less forgotten in the rush for funds.
Projects
Space Station
The RSA helped with the building of the International Space Station. The two Russian modules, Zarya and Zvenzda were launched to be later joined by the USA’s Unity Module.
Soyuz for Space Adventures
Space Adventures is one of many small space companies that plans to give rides into space for a price of $102,000 for suborbital flights. They also have flights to the ISS for $20,000,000. The RSA allows clients of Space Adventures to ride the Soyuz to the ISS..
Kliper
The Kliper idea is one that would probably replace the Soyuz. Kliper would be used to transport people from Earth to the International Space Station. The Kliper is planned to have small, upturned wings, causing it to be able to land on a military airfield.
Mir
The RSA also played a lead role in creating the first space station, Mir. To read more about Mir, click here.