Yup, you gotta keep up with that R&D if you want to be competitive.
How about opening it up to the open market and let them take care of it?
It's Russia. I am surprised though, I thought they kept ahead of the game.
Nope, for a long time the only way into space (or at least the ISS) was via a Soyuz rocket from the 60s/70s. They didn't change it.
Meanwhile, spaceX and a few other companies have been busy designing many different types of rockets.
I can't say much about Russia because I honestly don't know or understand their economic situation. They were heavily crippled by communism and the repercussions of such a system. But it's been 30 years, so who knows.
I thought they changed some of the avionics, sensors, etc. but did not change the rocket or engines.
If, like China, Russia can't come up with the tech they'll just steal it.
Wouldn't be surprised if they did.
Problem is that they can steal existing technology, but by the time they bring it to market, the company they stole it from has already released their next product. So they'll always be one step behind.
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