The aftermath of the Cold War Forgotten space drift, 311 days of loneliness for an astronaut

Mondo Science Updated on 2024-01-29

On May 19, 1991, Sergei Krikalev got on a rocket and embarked on the journey of a Soviet cosmonaut. However, under the watchful eyes of the people of the whole country, he did not expect that he was about to fall into a long "space trip" - for almost a year.

The legacy of the Cold War.

After World War II, the four major powers of the United States, the Soviet Union, China and Britain rose in the global anti-fascist battle. Although China was weak, it fought against Japan with determination and foreign aidBritain was unable to maintain its colonies after the war. The United States and the Soviet Union formed an alliance because of a common enemy, however, the outbreak of the Cold War changed the international landscape dramatically.

Space Battle: The Cost of an Arms Race.

During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union spent huge sums of money to compete for military superiority. In 1957, the Soviet Union's Teptnik 1 was successfully launched into space;In 1961, they sent the first astronaut into space. In order to maintain their superiority, the United States and the Soviet Union competed to invest in the aerospace field, which promoted the rapid development of science and technology in the world.

The two sides of the space race.

The space race gave impetus to scientific and technological progress, but it also put the Soviet Union in economic trouble. The peak GDP of the USSR was only 70% of that of the United States, concentrated in the field of heavy industry. Sergei became a member of the space squad at the end of the Cold War, when the Soviet Union had military superiority but the economy had collapsed, setting the stage for his future tragedy.

Lost contact and lonely wandering.

On May 18, 1991, Sergei went into space, however, on December 26, 1991, he lost contact with the Soviet mission center because of the collapse of the Soviet Union. He was aware of the crisis, but he didn't expect the day to come so quickly. After losing contact with Earth, his wife, as an astronaut, kept in touch and eventually managed to contact him.

Survival in space.

After losing contact, Sergey drifted in space and faced problems with eating. With limited food in the capsule and chaos caused by the collapse of the Soviet Union, he struggled to shut down the experimental equipment and reduce his physical exertion in hopes of returning to Earth as soon as possible. However, the Soviet Union was in disarray, and he struggled in the capsule.

A twist of fate.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia decided to bury the space station and unexpectedly found that there were still people inside. Krikalev's life was at stake, but Russia, faced with the chaos that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union, was unable to act immediately. At this time, Kazakhstan agreed that Russia would take him back, but "with additional money."

A turning point in the world. After the news**, Kazakhstan decided to lease the launch site to Russia for use. After 311 days in space, Krikalev finally returned to Earth and breathed fresh air. This forgotten space journey bears witness to the persistence of astronauts and the miracle of life in the aftermath of the Cold War.

The article is a profound reflection of the Cold War, especially the difficult experience of cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev wandering alone in space after the collapse of the Soviet Union. It is a poignant and moving story in which the astronaut's experience provides a glimpse into the changing international political landscape at the time and the profound impact of the Cold War on individual lives.

First, by reviewing the history of the Cold War, especially the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union, the article shows the duality of scientific and technological progress and the arms race. The space race has given a boost to global science and technology, but it has also imposed a significant burden on the rest of the economy. The Soviet Union's military superiority did not save its collapsing economy, setting the stage for what would happen to the cosmonaut Sergei.

Secondly, the article vividly depicts Sergei's loss of contact and drifting in space. His efforts to shut down the lab equipment and keep him as fit as possible, while his wife's tireless efforts allowed him to finally stay in touch with Earth. This persistence in life and attachment to family gives readers a deep emotional resonance during this lonely journey of an astronaut.

At the climax of the article, Sergei spent 311 days in space, only to return to Earth after Russia's turnaround. This heart-wrenching experience not only shows the resourcefulness and perseverance of an astronaut in an existential crisis, but also reflects the chaotic state of international affairs after the collapse of the Soviet Union. By recounting the astronaut's experience, the article calls for reflection on how the fate of individuals has been affected by the great changes in history.

Finally, the article mentions a change in attitudes in Kazakhstan, from the initial "need to add money" to the later agreement to lease the launch site to Russia, a process that is both a shift in political decision-making and a hint at the rise of humanitarian concerns. In the process of this astronaut encounter, the political, economic, humanitarian and other factors between countries are intertwined, presenting readers with a rich and complex historical picture.

Overall, this article profoundly reflects the historical changes of the Cold War period through Sergei Krikalev's experience of space drift, as well as the helplessness and persistence of individuals in the tide of history after the disintegration. It is a thought-provoking essay that makes the reader reflect deeply on both history and human nature.

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