Roman Privalov presents the thesis proposal of the PhD project "Russian space programs: continuity and change". Discussants are Anders Backlund and Simon Birnbaum.

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Abstract

The project aims at analyzing patterns of continuity and change in post-Soviet Russian space visions and policy. Three main domains are to be examined: visions of space activities advocated by Russian state in official documents, legislation and to a wider public; ones promoted in popular culture artifacts, including science fiction and historical artworks; and positions articulated by the expert community and non-state actors. By analyzing relationships between these domains, the work will present a comprehensive picture of Russian visions on space, and feasibly project it on the manifested plans of going to Moon and Mars.

The study is to be based on theoretical perspectives provided by scholarship on politics and popular culture, political ideas and ideologies, science fiction studies, general political theory and international relations. Most of the empirical work is to be carried out through textual analysis with mixed content and discourse approaches, but qualitative interviews are also planned (especially for the study of the expert community). The following set of questions guides the whole project:

• How is outer space envisioned in Russia?
• What are the visions of Russian presence in space?
• What kind of international relations in space are advocated by Russia?