Sir, - The obituary on the Russian space programme in your editorial (April 14th), is premature. Here you inform readers that Russia is "left merely to remember past glories". Not true. Russia is still the world's leading spacefaring nation.
Last year, Russia had 39 space launches. Its nearest rival, the United States, had only 28. In the past number of years, Russia has introduced four new types of rocket - the Rockot, the Start, the Dnepr and the Shtil - the latter able to launch satellites into orbit from submarines in any maritime area of the world. Russia also introduced four new powerful upper stages - the Ikar, Fregat, KVD-1 and Briz.
On April 6th, Russia introduced a new rocket, the Proton M, able to lift 23 tonnes into orbit. Russia has opened a new cosmodrome, Svobodny Blagoveshensk and a new squad of cosmonauts was appointed last year. Two new advanced military surveillance platforms have been introduced, the Arkon and the Yenesei.
Since the 1980s, the average length of a manned Russian space mission has been six months, compared to the Shuttle's maximum of two weeks. Two-thirds of all time in space has been accomplished on Russian-built spaceships.
Later this year, Russia will launch the first solar sailing mission, called Cosmos. A new manned spacecraft, the Soyuz TMA will fly in October. A whole new family of launchers will be introduced in 2003, called Angara. The production rate of the Soyuz and Proton launchers was increased in 2000. Past glories - or current achievements?
You then advise readers that Russia's involvement in the International Space Station "only takes places because of the financial backing of the United States". Not so. Russia is the second-largest financial contributor to the station, after the United States. Russia is contributing $2.51 billion, more than Europe, Japan or Canada. The main elements of the space station - the functional control block and the service module - were built by Russia. The docking module, built by Russia to arrive during the summer, is paid for by Russia.
Russia has sent one manned mission and three unmanned resupply craft to the International Space Station - all at its own expense. Mission control is in Korolev, Moscow, paid for by Russia.
In the light of these facts, should we postpone the funeral? - Yours, etc.,
Brian Harvey, Rathdown Crescent, Terenure, Dublin 6W.