Russian/CIS Space Capabilities: Issues and Opportunities
Abstract
The current and evolving space capabilities of the former Soviet Union are described, including the impact of political and institutional changes that have occurred since the breakup of the USSR. The implications of these changes for the U.S. space program are discussed, and issues and opportunities for cooperative relationships, both commercial and governmental, are identified. Despite the traumatic breakup, and the fecklessness of the Commonwealth Independent States, the former Soviet space program maintains a notable degree of vitality. However, coherent political and economic policies have not jelled fully, and depending upon the evolution of such policies in Russia and the rest of the Commonwealth, this vitality could degrade substantially. Desperate for hard currency to aid economic stability, Russia and some of the other States are mounting strong international efforts to sell the convertible wealth of their space technology. Despite certain pitfalls and threats to the U.S. space industry, actions are being taken to forge long-term commercial ventures in space technology between Russia and the U.S. At the same time, short comings in national space policy tend to hamper such opportunities. To facilitate collaboration, not only with the Russians but with the world space community at large, a timely, comprehensive national space policy, as well as a more definitive NASA strategic plan would enhance the capabilities and international competitive stance of the U.S. space industry.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA271053
Entities
People
- Hamilton Hagar
- Joan F. Cartier
- Susan L. Clark
Organizations
- Institute for Defense Analyses