The Magnificent Moscow

The chill started ever since I joined my academic year at the International Space University. The Moscow trip has been an ISU tradition since past few years. One of our professors, Dr. Nikolai Tolyarenko, a former Russian space scientist, arranges the trip for interested students at the beginning of March every year. I knew I am definitely going to Russia and that the trip will be more than exciting. Even the thought of flying to the Home of Space gave me goose bumps! I booked my flight tickets and made my stay arrangements well in advance. I also went on some grand shopping spree buying warm garments specially designed for the Russian winter.

We easily got our Russian Visa for a 7-days educational visit. On February 28th, 2015 we boarded our flight to Moscow, ready to be launched. The excitement inside me denied to be suppressed and I was exhilarated to land in the nation that transformed science and technology. The country, in its attempt to showcase its power to the world, took a brave step to send the first human to space. A decision that changed the course of modern world history.

St. Basil's Cathedral at Red Square

The first thing that struck me when I landed in Moscow was the Russian script. It seemed weird to my eyes but my brain could easily interpret it. Thanks to the symbol-matching games I played as a kid! Even a simple ‘hello’ in Russian looks like this ‘здравствуйте’.

The Moscow metro system is incredible. It is the most efficient transport system I have ever seen. Almost 300 feet below the ground carrying millions of passengers every day, the Russians have proved that to become a super power, you just do not need to reach the space but also have to go underground! Each subway metro station in Moscow have a distinct design and construction, depicting the history of Russia. Although it was midnight, we reached our destination in no time, thanks to the high speed tube trains.

I soon realized that Moscow was more like any other Indian city full of life and lights. It never sleeps. The Russians always seem serious and busy with their own business (unlike European cities where everything shuts down by 8pm and people around are always smiling). I also noticed that there were no dustbins anywhere yet all streets and corners were clean.I could not stop admiring the discipline and modesty of Moscovites.

The following day we visited the Red Square, Kremlin and Stalin’s Memorial. I was awestruck by the massive buildings and sculptures around the city. The Russian architectural taste and technology are praiseworthy. These are not just beautiful but also damage proof. For decades they have stood the same way without much maintenance. Everything in Russia has an essence of space science. After having an excursion through ancient Tsar Era, we had a traditional Russian lunch which left us craving for more. Russian cuisine is a blend of both the Western and Eastern worlds and caters to every taste bud in your mouth. They probably have the best pancakes in the world.

For the next three days we toured the RSC Energia, Star City and the Cosmonautics Memorial Museum. 

RSC Energia is the Russian Rocket and Space Corporation that manufactures space shuttles, satellites and space station components. It boasts of a rich history and houses the original capsules of past space missions. We were allowed to touch the capsules of Yuri Gagarin, Valentina Tereshkova and the puppy Laika, among others. It was like a dream come true for me to experience these which I had only seen in books since childhood. 

Star City, here the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) is situated, where cosmonauts and astronauts live and train before departing to space. Not so long ago, this used to be a secret area, cordoned off from public viewing. We saw the simulated models of MIR and ISS space stations, the Neutral Buoyancy and the Centrifuge chair. All of these to train future cosmonauts to survive and work in the microgravity environment of space. 

The same afternoon we visited the Gazprom Space Systems, a private space company that monitors the satellite broadcasting operations in most of Russia. They explained their operations and gifted us with miniature satellites as souvenirs.

The Cosmonautics Memorial Museum houses all the achievements of the Russian Space Agency Roscosmos, ever since its inception to the present era. I felt extremely proud when I saw some special mentions of Dr. Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space. I witnessed how the Russians had used outstanding yet basic technology to build their machines. It is a well-known fact that Russians lacked the knowledge of Electronics and IT, and there was no chance of collaboration with the West. Therefore, they made the best use of heavy electronics and mechanical components that they possessed to make space crafts. It was a miracle how they managed to fly such bulky masses into space. The Soyuz spacecraft, which was built in the 1960s is still in service today and is considered the most reliable launch vehicle.

The fourth day was assigned for Moscow Aviation Institute, a premier institute of aerospace engineering. The institute campus and building reminded me of NIT Jamshedpur. But the most spectacular fact was that the Institute’s labs and workshops have components that have already flown in space, including thrusters, propellers, moon-landers, etc. Students study these missions and learn about the technology that was used, then try to improve on those for future missions. The institute has produced a number of cosmonauts and scientists. This was quite inspiring to me.

Something that amazed me the most all through my trip was the pride that Russians take in their space achievements. They imbibe this knowledge in their daily lives which is clearly reflected in everything- architecture, education and lifestyle. The parks are space themed and kids of five years of age know all about the first space station, the first launch vehicle, etc. It was an ecstatic experience for me to see school children talking about high-tech satellites and human space flights!

Coincidently, it was my birthday on the last day of our trip. I enjoyed amazing Russian breakfast and lunch with my friends and the rest of the day was dedicated to having fun and shopping. I bought a number of souvenirs for my friends and family. Food and gift items are extremely cheap in Russia. Moscow has a unique sense of fashion, which mixes both traditional and modernity. I went ice-skating on the world’s largest skating rink and experienced the first magnetic levitation monorail trip across Moscow. I also saw the Russian space craft Vostok, that carried Yuri Gagarin to space and the real reusable space shuttle Buran.

It would not be justified if I end my memoir without appreciating the benevolent 'Russies'. Inspite of the language hindrance, they tried their best to approach and help us. The receptionist at our hostel, Kevin did everything possible to make us feel comfortable and relaxed. I shall always remember him for his kind gestures. Such services may not be available even at a post five-star hotel!

This was not the end of my adventurous journey, as while security check-in at the Moscow airport for my flight back to France, I experienced something unusual. The VISA officials suspected that I and rest of the Indians do not hold a valid visa and kept us stranded while they interrogated and verified our authenticity. Our flight was delayed by 15 minutes as it had to wait for us. It seemed like a Bollywood movie sequence where all of us ran like mad to catch our flight!

In all, Moscow was a lifetime experience! It is a place that everyone must visit atleast once- the food lover, the culture lover, the tech geeks, the backpackers and the fashionistas. As for me, I would love to go there again and again, for it is the abode of Space, the city of my dreams.

An interesting read about Mother Russia (Rossiya Matushka) and her people http://www.globalresearch.ca/russias-remarkable-renaissance/5435643

Me & my friends in front of the ISS Russian segment Zarya and Zvezda