post-soviet-transition

The narrative explores the political and social upheaval in Russia during the early 1990s, highlighting liberalization, restructuring, and the uncertain future of institutions.

Written by the Tronix Library

4 chapters across 4 books

Fellow Traveler William Barton & Michael Capobianco

CHAPTER 6 September 7, 2002 c<A> «£> «*> Shuttle Taina, Mystery, hung against the starless night, its cargo bay doors yawning. Volodya reached up and turned down the contrast on the monitor a little so the maximum detail could be seen. The bay was empty except for the outward-pointing cylinder that would mate with Molotochek's docking ring to allow passage between the two ships. In one of the observation windows located just above the docking adapter, he thought he could see a face and a waving hand. "Good to see you, Taina," he said. "We've come a long way to be here with you." "Acknowledged, Molotochek," said the voice of Vasili Kryuchkov through the earphones. Manarov typed a command into the Dozhdevik and the docking checklist appeared on the lower screen. He glanced over at the DEU, quietly plugged into Bronstein's empty station, and sighed. "Let's get this over with, shall we, Vasya?" "Nothing easier. Here we come." A fanning puff of propellant spurted from a reaction- control thruster at Taina's nose, and the ship began to ori- ent itself. It grew slowly to fill the monitor, until all he could see was the gaping barn doors and the circle of the docking ring. Without a pilot, Molotochek was essentially a passive element in this equation, and there was little to do except watch the video. Their transfer directly to a shuttle, rather than a rendez- vous with Mir, was a final commentary on the problems of the mission. The flight dynamics had put them into a twenty-three-degree Earth-orbit, rather than the planned fifty-one degrees, too far off course to be corrected by the 210

The chapter chronicles the complex realities of space exploration and its aftermath, beginning with the technical challenges of docking the shuttle Taina with Molotochek under difficult orbital conditions and the emotional and physiological struggles of returning to Earth. It then shifts to the broader socio-political context of post-Soviet Russia, highlighting the instability and economic hardships affecting the space program and its personnel, including Anton Tonya's personal and professional challenges both at home and abroad. The narrative also explores themes of loss, political opposition to space initiatives, cultural dislocation, and the tension between scientific ambition and institutional decline.

The Cassini Division (1998)Ken MacLeod

Chapter 17

The chapter centers on the funeral of Major Georgi Yefrimovich Davidov, a decorated Soviet and Kazakhstani military and diplomatic figure, highlighting the political and personal complexities surrounding his life and death. Myra Godwin-Davidova, his former wife, reflects on their shared past and the broader historical forces at play, while engaging in a tense conversation with David Reid about strategic assets and political maneuvering in the post-Soviet landscape.

The Making of Incarnation (2023)Tom McCarthy

1. Cidonija

Phocan arrives in post-independence Riga to investigate archival materials related to Vanins, facing bureaucratic obstacles and linguistic barriers that reveal the persistent opacity of Soviet-era information control. He navigates a socio-political landscape marked by economic instability, ethnic tensions, and Cold War espionage legacies, uncovering cryptic documents and meeting key figures like Lazda and Vanins. Through conversations and observations, the chapter explores themes of movement, equilibrium, fatigue, and the complex interplay between historical memory, personal identity, and the lingering shadows of the past.

The Sky Road (1997)Ken MacLeod

Chapter 17

The chapter centers on the funeral of Major Georgi Yefrimovich Davidov, intertwining personal grief with the complex political transitions in post-Soviet Kazakhstan. Myra Godwin-Davidova navigates tense negotiations with Reid over strategic assets, revealing covert orbital storage and the fragile balance of power amid geopolitical instability. The narrative explores shifting allegiances, the decline of Internationalist ideals, and the strategic importance of space as a domain for political and military influence.

Opening the stacks

post-soviet-transition

The narrative explores the political and social upheaval in Russia during the early 1990s, highlighting liberalization, restructuring, and the uncertain future of institutions.

Written by the Tronix Library

4 chapters across 4 books