Sputnik II - No Longer a Worthy Russian Venture

Russia's leader Vladimir Putin left the G-20 Summit in Australia earlier than expected last weekend after a number of world leaders made it clear they were not impressed with his foreign policy.  The recent Russian invasion (again) of Ukraine, bomber flyovers of European capitols, submarine missions into Scandinavian waters, threats to send bombers into the Gulf of Mexico, and related events are tiring the other nations.  One of the last straws for the Australians was the presence of Russian warships off the coast of Australia and Putin's claim that they were there measuring the climate.  If so, their measurements should have shown the climate has soured and Russia has few if any friends. 

And now the Russians have a new mission called Sputnik, but this one is not aimed at space but at other nations where the Russian version of the news will be sent around the world via radio and Internet in 30 languages.  This $140 million project will try to put a new spin on Russian invasions and bullying as we sink into a new Cold War.  The Russians claim the project is already broadcasting in English, Spanish, Arabic and Chinese and has offices in Washington, Cairo, Beijing and Montevideo.

At Sputniknews you can find stories such as "Moscow Concerned About US Not Informing on Plans to Close Guantanamo Prison," which is really rich coming from the country that invented gulags.  And you can also read about the "7th Russian Aid Convoy for Eastern Ukraine," which is a nice cover for tanks and missile carriers. 

It is a sad day when the term Sputnik now means Russia turning inward and chasing its tail rather than reaching out to the stars and demonstrating its scientific abilities.  If Russia wants to use a well-worn Russian word, how about "Perestroika"?  If the word means "restructuring," then at least it reflects what is happening, though in this case it is not Russia restructuring internally but instead restructuring the truth for its own benefit. 

Image:  Director General of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency Dmitry Kiselеv at the presentation of a major international news brand "Sputnik"
Image Credit:  RIA Novosti / Alexey Filippov

World Space Week

From October 4th to 10th is World Space Week, designated as such by the United Nations since 1999.  And why these dates?  Because October 4, 1957, is the date Sputnik was launched and October 10, 1967, is the date of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activites of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. 

Events to celebrate this week are scheduled throughout the states and the world.  For example, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Space Foundation is bringing NASA astronaut Dr. Leroy Chiao to Colorado Springs on October 9 to share his experiences as a Space Shuttle astronaut and resident of the International Space Station with 200 school children.  In DeWitt, Michigan, Anousheh Ansari, the first private female space explorer, will Skype with members of the Michigan Space Program (DeWitt High School students) on October 7, 2014 from 10:30 AM until 11:30 AM.

You can learn more about the week and possible events in your area by visiting www.worldspaceweek.org.