Roald Sagdeev's career in Soviet science began in 1955 amidst its peak, characterized by notable achievements like the first satellite and human in orbit. However, he recognized corruption undermining the integrity of the scientific community. The Bolsheviks' disdain for scientists, balanced by Lenin's intervention, coupled with Stalin's ideologically constrained funding, set a troubling precedent. By the 1970s, Sagdeev's leadership at the Soviet Space Research Institute revealed a significant decline, hamstrung by lack of funding and scientific competence, leading to a stark contrast with American achievements in space.
Sagdeev highlights that during the peak of Soviet science, corruption was evident, eroding the integrity of the scientific community and its advancements.
He recalls how, despite initial successes, by the late 1970s the Soviet space program lagged behind America, struggling with funding and proper scientific expertise.
Collection
[
|
...
]