Soviet technology

[plonq]

I have long been a fan of Soviet cold-war technology, not because it was particularly advanced, but because it had a certain brutal charm to it. The moon probe Луноход is a good example of that. This little guy was designed to last for three months (three lunar days), but he tootled around the moon for nearly a year before finally retiring.

It looks like an unholy marriage of an old galvanized wash tub and an Erector Set; it's beautiful. In my opinion, all it needs is a gauge on the side or top to make it full steampunk.

Comments

[furahi.livejournal.com]

Is that the picture of the day?

It reminds me of Wall-E, for some reason

[plonq.livejournal.com]

Nay, this is not my picture of the day (I just posted that now). For one thing, this probe is currently marooned on the moon, and my zoom lens isn't quite that good.

This is just a stock picture from Wikipedia.

[dronon.livejournal.com]

I feel sorry for its cousin!

[unciaa.livejournal.com]

Looking at the various US and Soviet space race engineering efforts often feels like you're watching a competition episode of Mythbusters with each side attempting to balance functional and crazy.