Former International Space Station commander: Watching my Russian cosmonaut friends turn to the dark side was a troubling lesson in how easily normal people can be bribed into supporting a tyrant.
What has happened inside Russia has been nothing short of catastrophic. All the hopes engendered by the collapse of the Soviet Union have been dashed, replaced by an asphyxiating dystopian fantasy.
Sadly, the world really needs an open, free, democratic Russia. The best way to encourage such an outcome is to work unceasingly for Russia's complete defeat in Ukraine, followed by its withdrawal to the very borders everyone -- including Russia -- agreed upon in 1991. But with the ascendance of the ultimate Russian patsy in the White House, bringing shame and dishonor to America, that looks less and less likely.
Some long time ago, at an international alpine event in Europe, we, the Canadian delegation, were invited onto to a Russian super yacht for cocktails and socializing. Nothing sinister. Most said, " Yes, for sure, let's go! Fun!" Our Chef de Mission, in his leadership role, announced that none of the Canadian delegation would accept the invitation. To some, "I dont have to listen to that jerk. I am going anyway!" and to most , a quiet lesson on ethical leadership. Small daily lessons. I have been fortunate to have had many such lessons. That said, my courage has never been tested.
We all have to realize that we humans heavily rely on our social environment with our moral/value choices. In an ideal world each person would be able to individually judge which choices are the right ones (morally), what is true, and what is false. Unfortunately most of us are either intrinsically incapable of independent reasoning, or not strong enough to go against what we chanced to be immersed in.
My family is Polish, one of the WW2 shocks passed down in memory is the shock of German behavior in occupied Poland. Until then, the Germans were highly esteemed for their culture etc in Poland. We were warring over border posts before, but this was a regular thing in Europe - chivalry norms etc. What the Nazis did to the whole German society was a shock.
Turns out that nowadays the governments can transform societies and their values really fast. And most individuals are helpless against it. This is not to absolve individuals from their choices - the personal responsibility is there always. But, sadly, if the environment changes, most people change with it and do not even reflect on the fact that their values have turned 180 degrees.
This is a sobering analysis of how individuals can change from being pleasant colleagues to fervent supporters of a bloody tyrant. If the bribe is big enough many more will follow. The US under Trump is at risk of being an autocracy. See how the GOP Senators have been changed into MAGA cult members. They all lack the moral courage to stand against Trump.
I have to tell you that you are worthless piece of garbage.
Those russian astronauts, like you, have their freedom of choice what or whom to support and it is in their right.
But I have never heard one bad word from any russian astronaut about their american colleagues with whom they shared good and evil in space, regardless of their opinions, for instance like yours.
Shame on you, you don't deserve to be called astronaut.
You are no Spock, Mr. Nimoy. I find your argument illogical. Harsh words from an Astronaut are not enough for the Russians. Open the pod bay doors, Hal....
Thank you, Terry for your post. I have hopefully assumed that those fortunate to spend time on the ISS or orbit the Earth have a greater appreciation of the fragility and delicate nature of our planet. The perspective that one receives from looking down on the Earth and see the Earth must be life- changing. To witness how incredible the life sustaining systems work on our planet, and to be able to see them from all angles, globally, from the perspective of space, has to affect one’s thinking, I would think? That’s why it is unfortunate to hear that the Russian cosmonauts when returning to earth take a more close minded perspective after having that special view. Wasted resources through killing and blatant destruction can only damage this special planet and we know this planet is special because there are no other life sustaining planets in our solar system. This is a truth that is much more important than humans.. I don’t care whose country does what-countries are ever-changing lines in the sand, determined at a certain time in life, but the Earth is bigger than the desires of the human species. And the ones that can leave the earth, however temporarily, need to be the ambassadors of this message, this message that our planet is beyond special. It is simply a body of life, and we need to cherish that gift by adopting a civilization centered around sustaining life.
Wise words. No one can trust russia. There needs to be a comprehensive cultural cleanse to undo the centuries of dangerous false cultural & imperial belief in russian exceptionalism. Same is now blatantly clear for the USA with its belief in its own false sense of exceptionalism which has led it to the current corrupt authoritarian trump regime.
“ But Sasha didn’t simply stay silent on Putin’s oppression and the invasion of Ukraine. He enthusiastically enabled both.”
How did/could Sasha ENABLE? From space? How did he do this?
“ First, American astronauts should stop flying on Russian capsules, while Russian personnel should not be welcome aboard American spacecraft.”
What an obtuse if not asinine proposition. In the country loaded with debt we shall spend exponentially more on Boeings, which wheels and doors fall of in flight???
Or shall we rebuild an iron curtain on the Russian side? Now that Putin cut off social media, communications with highly educated and intelligent cosmonauts is our only way of breaking to the Russian people, we shall cut this only way lose??
I suggest we send way more intelligent astronauts than the author of this piece, astronauts, who are capable to persuade intelligent Russian counterparts and come up with better ideas to counter the dictator than “empathetically” suggesting to endanger their own lives and, which is way worse, lives of their offsprings. Why don’t you ask Garry, why he ran away from beatings instead of staying back and risking his and his family’s lives?
What is missing in this piece is an intelligent thought.
Russians sent KGB or other intelligence-related officers into such positions of international influence and prestige. Bid them a firm goodbye, and let them learn the invaluable lesson of how fast Vova will turn on them if/when it suits his purpose.
Thank you, but allow me to present an alternative view. Maybe you were fooled! Maybe they weren't the kind and friendly peace loving scientists you thought they were all along, and were just following orders to act that way?
Given russia’s propensity for planting spies in the most unlikely places you’re probably right about presuming what may well have been a ‘friendship’ of convenience enabling russian espionage in plain sight.
So sad. Heartbreaking, actually. The promise of the space program starting with the Gemini and Apollo programs and other monumental achievements such as the Space Shuttle, ISS, missions to Mars, Hubble and Webb space telescopes, exploring our solar system and beyond w/ Voyagers I and II, landing on an asteroid 200 million miles from Earth, and many other successes has always been such a source of pride and hope for what we can do together as a species. Now we have billionaires selling joy rides into space to those who can afford it, and a government who is allowing a business mogul to strong arm countries (including our own) to use his satellite system for Internet access. Trump, Musk, Putin, Bezos and others want to use Space for their own selfish ends, as if they’re not standing on the shoulders of all who came before them. Certainly, the U.S. has military, economic and geopolitical interests in space, but the wonders and accomplishments belong to all of us. Any future achievements (public or private) would not be possible without the decades of investment, scientists, astronauts, technological advances, risk taking, sacrifices and collaboration that came before. Don’t forget the decades of political stability and prosperity in this country that enabled companies like Amazon, Tesla and Starlink to exist and prosper.
Marine Innovation Day 2025: Strategic Planning for a Secure Future 🌊
Dr. Anna Wieslander discussed US policy shifts, NATO's role, and Baltic Sea's importance. Emphasized European defense investments, nuclear deterrence, and whistleblowing. High time for some retirements?
What has happened inside Russia has been nothing short of catastrophic. All the hopes engendered by the collapse of the Soviet Union have been dashed, replaced by an asphyxiating dystopian fantasy.
Sadly, the world really needs an open, free, democratic Russia. The best way to encourage such an outcome is to work unceasingly for Russia's complete defeat in Ukraine, followed by its withdrawal to the very borders everyone -- including Russia -- agreed upon in 1991. But with the ascendance of the ultimate Russian patsy in the White House, bringing shame and dishonor to America, that looks less and less likely.
But what if the US is now turning into one of those authoritarian countries?
Some long time ago, at an international alpine event in Europe, we, the Canadian delegation, were invited onto to a Russian super yacht for cocktails and socializing. Nothing sinister. Most said, " Yes, for sure, let's go! Fun!" Our Chef de Mission, in his leadership role, announced that none of the Canadian delegation would accept the invitation. To some, "I dont have to listen to that jerk. I am going anyway!" and to most , a quiet lesson on ethical leadership. Small daily lessons. I have been fortunate to have had many such lessons. That said, my courage has never been tested.
A sad but important testimony - thank you.
We all have to realize that we humans heavily rely on our social environment with our moral/value choices. In an ideal world each person would be able to individually judge which choices are the right ones (morally), what is true, and what is false. Unfortunately most of us are either intrinsically incapable of independent reasoning, or not strong enough to go against what we chanced to be immersed in.
My family is Polish, one of the WW2 shocks passed down in memory is the shock of German behavior in occupied Poland. Until then, the Germans were highly esteemed for their culture etc in Poland. We were warring over border posts before, but this was a regular thing in Europe - chivalry norms etc. What the Nazis did to the whole German society was a shock.
Turns out that nowadays the governments can transform societies and their values really fast. And most individuals are helpless against it. This is not to absolve individuals from their choices - the personal responsibility is there always. But, sadly, if the environment changes, most people change with it and do not even reflect on the fact that their values have turned 180 degrees.
This is a sobering analysis of how individuals can change from being pleasant colleagues to fervent supporters of a bloody tyrant. If the bribe is big enough many more will follow. The US under Trump is at risk of being an autocracy. See how the GOP Senators have been changed into MAGA cult members. They all lack the moral courage to stand against Trump.
Mr. Wirts,
I have to tell you that you are worthless piece of garbage.
Those russian astronauts, like you, have their freedom of choice what or whom to support and it is in their right.
But I have never heard one bad word from any russian astronaut about their american colleagues with whom they shared good and evil in space, regardless of their opinions, for instance like yours.
Shame on you, you don't deserve to be called astronaut.
You are no Spock, Mr. Nimoy. I find your argument illogical. Harsh words from an Astronaut are not enough for the Russians. Open the pod bay doors, Hal....
Thank you, Terry for your post. I have hopefully assumed that those fortunate to spend time on the ISS or orbit the Earth have a greater appreciation of the fragility and delicate nature of our planet. The perspective that one receives from looking down on the Earth and see the Earth must be life- changing. To witness how incredible the life sustaining systems work on our planet, and to be able to see them from all angles, globally, from the perspective of space, has to affect one’s thinking, I would think? That’s why it is unfortunate to hear that the Russian cosmonauts when returning to earth take a more close minded perspective after having that special view. Wasted resources through killing and blatant destruction can only damage this special planet and we know this planet is special because there are no other life sustaining planets in our solar system. This is a truth that is much more important than humans.. I don’t care whose country does what-countries are ever-changing lines in the sand, determined at a certain time in life, but the Earth is bigger than the desires of the human species. And the ones that can leave the earth, however temporarily, need to be the ambassadors of this message, this message that our planet is beyond special. It is simply a body of life, and we need to cherish that gift by adopting a civilization centered around sustaining life.
Wise words. No one can trust russia. There needs to be a comprehensive cultural cleanse to undo the centuries of dangerous false cultural & imperial belief in russian exceptionalism. Same is now blatantly clear for the USA with its belief in its own false sense of exceptionalism which has led it to the current corrupt authoritarian trump regime.
“ But Sasha didn’t simply stay silent on Putin’s oppression and the invasion of Ukraine. He enthusiastically enabled both.”
How did/could Sasha ENABLE? From space? How did he do this?
“ First, American astronauts should stop flying on Russian capsules, while Russian personnel should not be welcome aboard American spacecraft.”
What an obtuse if not asinine proposition. In the country loaded with debt we shall spend exponentially more on Boeings, which wheels and doors fall of in flight???
Or shall we rebuild an iron curtain on the Russian side? Now that Putin cut off social media, communications with highly educated and intelligent cosmonauts is our only way of breaking to the Russian people, we shall cut this only way lose??
I suggest we send way more intelligent astronauts than the author of this piece, astronauts, who are capable to persuade intelligent Russian counterparts and come up with better ideas to counter the dictator than “empathetically” suggesting to endanger their own lives and, which is way worse, lives of their offsprings. Why don’t you ask Garry, why he ran away from beatings instead of staying back and risking his and his family’s lives?
What is missing in this piece is an intelligent thought.
I pity the Russian Cosmonauts for having to cohabit in space with such an ignoramus.
Thats the worst and shallowest historical analysis Ive ever seen.
What else would some creep who has bombed children for bankers billed to my taxes all your life say.
What else would some creep who has bombed children for bankers billed to my taxes all your life say.
Russians sent KGB or other intelligence-related officers into such positions of international influence and prestige. Bid them a firm goodbye, and let them learn the invaluable lesson of how fast Vova will turn on them if/when it suits his purpose.
Thank you, but allow me to present an alternative view. Maybe you were fooled! Maybe they weren't the kind and friendly peace loving scientists you thought they were all along, and were just following orders to act that way?
Ever consider that?
Given russia’s propensity for planting spies in the most unlikely places you’re probably right about presuming what may well have been a ‘friendship’ of convenience enabling russian espionage in plain sight.
So sad. Heartbreaking, actually. The promise of the space program starting with the Gemini and Apollo programs and other monumental achievements such as the Space Shuttle, ISS, missions to Mars, Hubble and Webb space telescopes, exploring our solar system and beyond w/ Voyagers I and II, landing on an asteroid 200 million miles from Earth, and many other successes has always been such a source of pride and hope for what we can do together as a species. Now we have billionaires selling joy rides into space to those who can afford it, and a government who is allowing a business mogul to strong arm countries (including our own) to use his satellite system for Internet access. Trump, Musk, Putin, Bezos and others want to use Space for their own selfish ends, as if they’re not standing on the shoulders of all who came before them. Certainly, the U.S. has military, economic and geopolitical interests in space, but the wonders and accomplishments belong to all of us. Any future achievements (public or private) would not be possible without the decades of investment, scientists, astronauts, technological advances, risk taking, sacrifices and collaboration that came before. Don’t forget the decades of political stability and prosperity in this country that enabled companies like Amazon, Tesla and Starlink to exist and prosper.
Marine Innovation Day 2025: Strategic Planning for a Secure Future 🌊
Dr. Anna Wieslander discussed US policy shifts, NATO's role, and Baltic Sea's importance. Emphasized European defense investments, nuclear deterrence, and whistleblowing. High time for some retirements?
Read more: https://open.substack.com/pub/cashflowcollective/p/marine-innovation-day-strategic-planning