Event Description
The collapse of the Soviet Union brought radical changes to Russian political economic and social life. One of the most deeply affected sectors was spaceflight. Once a symbol of national pride and a core element of Soviet identity and heritage, the space industry underwent dramatic transformation in the 1990s. Under pressure from global capitalism and emerging international partnerships, it was forced to restructure. A long-awaited opportunity to establish commercial contacts emerged, allowing Russian space hardware and services to enter the international market. This talk examines how the transition from a heroic past to a predominantly materialistic present has shaped collective self-identification. It explores how the transformation of the myth of space into a commercial commodity has fostered a sense of nostalgia among older generations, sometimes verging on, or even evolving into, resentment.
Event Information
Free and open to the public; registration required. For more information, please visit the series webpage. Hosted by the Center for European and Mediterranean Studies at New York University.
