Russia in Space: The Failed Frontier?

This is a rather technical book aimed at Soviet space-age hardware. Looking at it another way, it's the history of their space program told through the equipment involved, not the people. I found it an interesting read. You can easily skip around from one topic to another without loss of continuity if you want to learn about the Soviet version of the space shuttle one day or Mir the next. I found it to be accurate and clearly-written.

For Americans, brought up on NASA's many successful exploits, this book gives a useful different perspective. Much of the narrative details the Soviet space achievements during the Cold War. And indeed, there were many notable firsts. From Sputnik to Vostok, Gagarin to Tereshkova, the Soviets made impressive strides. But Harvey shows that they also had their share of failures. From unmanned probes that got lost, to cosmonauts who perished. Comparing the Russian and American space programs, you can see how the former played to their strengths. By emphasising massive launch capability (like the Proton and Energiya rockets) and a can-do attitude necessitated by small budgets, especially after the end of the Cold War. Arguably, the Americans had the most advanced vehicle, in the form of the Space Shuttles. But scarcely perfect, given 2 that were destroyed, and the lengthy regular maintenance costs even when matters were routine. The book also shows the deep experience of prolonged spaceflight that the Russians amassed, via their space station. Something the Americans largely gave up after Skylab was abandoned.

Brian Harvey has clearly done a tremendous amount of research to create "Russia in Space - The Failed Frontier?" It does a great job of covering the manned, unmanned, military, and civilian space operations in the Soviet Union and Russian programs. This is not a light read. It is more of an academic work with great detail on costs, system capabilities, and history. There is a lot of detail on how the program changed when the USSR dissolved.

For those who think that NASA is the only way to go into space, read this excellent book, and you will see that the Soviets, and now Russia, really have an incredible history, and a bright future ahead, providing they can cope with their financial problems. The quality and imagination of the russian space program is incredible, and it would be a invaluable loss if it had to collapse completely... because it may very well be this program that will get us out of our craddle.