European-Russian Space Cooperation

The story of European-Russian collaboration in space is little known and its importance all too often understated. Because France was the principal interlocutor between these nations, such cooperation did not receive the attention it deserved in English-language literature. This book rectifies that history, showing how Russia and Europe forged a successful partnership that has continued to the present day.

Space writer Brian Harvey provides an in-depth picture of how this European-Russian relationship evolved and what factors—scientific, political and industrial—propelled it over the decades. The history begins in the cold war period with the first collaborative ventures between the Soviet Union and European countries, primarily France, followed later by Germany and other European countries. Next, the chapters turn to the missions when European astronauts flew to Russian space stations, the Soyuz rocket made a new home in European territory in the South American jungle and science missions were flown to study deep space. Their climax is the joint mission to explore Mars, called ExoMars, which has already sent a mission to Mars.

Through this close examination of these European-Russian efforts, readers will appreciate an altogether new perspective on the history of space exploration, no longer defined by   competition, but rather by collaboration and cooperation.

• Baikonour Cosmodrome De Gaulle
• ESA Russia Space Cooperation
• Exomars Mission
• Franco-Russo Space Cooperation
• Integral Observatory
• Joint Europa Lander
• Manned MIR Missions
• Post Cold War Space Exploration
• Russo-German Space Cooperation
• Spektr RG

“In this volume, well-known space writer Brian Harvey takes an in-depth look at the efforts of western-European countries … . this is a useful addition to the literature.” (Peter Bond, The Observatory, Vol. 142 (1286), February, 2022)

“The well-known chronicler of space activities, Brian Harvey, has produced a timely addition to his impressive portfolio.” (Pat Norris, Aerospace, December, 2021)

“Brain Harvey has written a unique in-depth account of European and Russian space exploration collaboration. A significant amount of research has gone into the book, with some of the ups and downs of the partnership described, but you come away with a new insight into the many successful years and missions. A timeline of key events and extensive reference throughout rounds out this excellent history." (John Flannery, Orbit, Vol. 56 (4), 2021)

“Weighing in at a sizeable 401 pages, Harvey takes us through, with exquisitely researched detail yet in a relaxed and accessible writing style, one of the most far-reaching and enduring partnerships in all of space endeavor … . This book is a fascinating read, and is highly recommended. … If you’re interested in space exploration, this book is a must for your bookshelf.” (Kevin Nolan, Astronomy Ireland, September, 2021)

“It has to be said that Brian Harvey has done his homework; he does not only delve into the missions that flew, but outlines the missions that did not fly–for example, Russia’s potential involvement in the ESA JUICE mission to Jupiter’s moons, a collaboration that very nearly materialised. … In short, I found the book to be a great historical, human and scientific account of a space collaboration that has received relatively little attention.” (Richard Harrison, Space Research Today, August 30, 2021)

“The book’s 400 pages deals with collaboration in scientific, industrial, human spaceflight, and ExoMars … . This is probably the first English-language analysis of the individuals, institutions, and early space projects that would eventually lead not just France but Europe to its status as a leader in designing, building, and operating complex space infrastructure.” (Gurbir Singh, The Space Review, thespacereview.com, August 30, 2021)

“Recalling the successes, the failures and lost opportunities, European-Russian Space Cooperation is fully referenced and supplemented with useful tables, a bibliography and appendices and a helpful 60-year timeline of events. If you wish to learn more about the long history of European and Russian space cooperation, this concise and informative single volume admirably fits the bill.” (David J Shayler, Spaceflight, Vol. 63 (2), August, 2021)

• Templeogue, Ireland

  Brian Harvey

Brian Harvey has been a writer and broadcaster on spaceflight since the early 1970s. His articles have appeared in Spaceflight, Quest, Orbit, Astronomy & Space, Astronomy Now,  Space Quarterly, Go Taikonauts! and ROOM.  He has contributed to radio programs on RTE, BBC (Radio 4, Radio 5, World Service), Voice of America, Future tense (Australia) and to television and film programs for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, China Television, Discovery Channel and Danish TV. His first book was a history of the Soviet space program (Ellis Horwood, 1988), with three subsequent editions; followed by histories of Soviet lunar exploration, Soviet planetary exploration and Russian space science; as well as histories of the European, Japanese and Indian space programs and the American Explorer satellites (all published by Praxis, later Praxis/Springer).  His history of the Chinese space program has been published in four editions, most recently as China in space - the great leap forward (2019).  He contributed chapters to Space Sleuths (Praxis, 2012) and a book on Yuri Galperin, published by the Academy of Sciences in Moscow (2012).

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