Russian Planetary Exploration

The book delves into the challenges faced by the USSR in planetary space exploration, highlighting the engineering hurdles and unreliable technologies like the Molniya and Proton upper stages. It assesses the scientific data gathered from missions to Venus and Mars, examining the evolution of planetary probes from MV and Zond to Phobos. The narrative explores the engineering techniques, scientific packages, and the setbacks that plagued various missions, while also addressing the broader legacy of these efforts within the Soviet space program.