“The saddest secret of Russia’s space program is the aging workforce, retiring or dying off at their posts.”
Key point. I’ve seen Baikonur - its a city built for 50,000 people that now has 20,000 (tops). There are derelict carnival parks with rusting roller coasters because there are no longer very many kids in the city.
‘Course our own generation of space engineering/ops people are also passing on to retirement - most of the kids coming out of school now have degrees in sociology, ethnic studies or similar soft disciplines which don’t help you get to Mars.
Well, most of Russian cities are like that now.
AAt the same time Russia is becoming a World second destiny for immigration. Who knows if their muslims and other asians are to go space after them.