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Stephen Michael Kellat's avatar

The An-225 played such a big role in NASA’s later years in simply moving test items around. Armstrong Test Facilty’s “space power” vacuum facility is based on the shores of Lake Erie in Sandusky. At Stennis Space Center in Mississippi there are the static test stands for rocket firing. You don’t move these things over land massive distances or float them on the Mississippi River the whole way. Just getting from the airport to Sandusky is a hard enough over land trek. NASA’s remaining Super Guppy aircraft can pick up some of the cargo missions but it is nowhere near the size of the monster An-225.

Yes, Ukraine has played a huge backstage role in America’s space program. The Antonov bureau is a major force for aerospace.

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Elizabeth (Community Manager)'s avatar

In my opinion, the An-225 is proof that technical marvels are possible. It’s also another reminder of how much Ukrainians are capable of. And what do you think, will there be an aircraft any time soon that could replace the An-225?

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Stephen Michael Kellat's avatar

I hope so. It was an awesome one of a kind heavy lift capacity. If we had gotten Kamala Harris instead of Donald Trump as President we probably would’ve seen NASA pushing hard to get a replacement built because the An-225 was directly supporting the Artemis mission program. Now? Unfortunately the Trump administration is ripping much of the federal government apart so NASA won’t be able to do much. ESA and its Canadian counterparts probably need to step up to do more.

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Denise Wallace's avatar

Another outstanding article by the Counteroffensive.

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Ron Carter's avatar

Fantastic article!!!

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Kathleen Weber's avatar

Are you really sure that qualifies as a dog?

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Tim Mak's avatar

I believe after his degree he is known as Dog, Esq.

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Kathleen Weber's avatar

Any Aztec would regard that tea cup as a snack.

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Tim Mak's avatar

We do not typically approve of Aztec customs, to include dog snacking or human sacrifice

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Ann Starkey's avatar

You graduates rock, Nastia and Lary!

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Radaghast's avatar

Excellent piece, Oleksandr and Tim. Thank you!

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Don Bates's avatar

Outstanding newsletter on the Zaporizhzhia Titanium Plant. So interesting to read how its ore contributed to the creation of the Blackbird aircraft.

From the News of the Day I find it frustrating that S Korea advises the world how N Korea is helping Russia with troops and missiles and then, in turn, fails to match their neighbour’s output, to Ukraine. I know S Korea is helping but they could do more.

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Elizabeth (Community Manager)'s avatar

As for South Korea, it’s interesting how their own history of conflict with the North might influence their caution in taking further steps. Perhaps they fear provoking even greater escalation in the region? Do you think their position is driven more by pragmatism or by fear?

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Jeffrey Jon Bode’'s avatar

That dog can file suit against me anytime.

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