The Russians are dumping hardware because they are desperate for hard currency. ===
It is stupid remerk it doesn't explain anything. Russia sells millions of tonns of oil and gas. And you still tell she is desperate?
Russian engineers simply smart enough to do the job for fraction of cost. That is the source of problem for american space industry.
Russian engineers simply smart enough to do the job for fraction of cost. That is the source of problem for american space industry. With all due respect, perhaps you can regale us with the success of Phobos I, Phobos II and the Buran shuttle (which, if memory serves, went up for action in 2002 for a mere $6 million after making only one unmanned flight).
Yet you would have us believe that Russia is ready to make a journey to Mars? Even though Russia has never managed to get a cosmonaut to the moon?