June 09, 2021

Looking for Elon


Looking for Elon

“I think he has already been born. I think he is already in school studying or in kindergarten. And of course, he is not alone. A great country will certainly appear.”

– Dmitry Rogozin, head of Roscosmos

 

At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 5, Roscosmos Head Dmitry Rogozin expressed certainty that the Russian Elon Musk is already somewhere out there. This comes weeks after Musk announced that Tesla may soon come to Russia.

In the Twitterverse, Musk and Rogozin seem to have warm relations. Rogozin suggested in 2014 that the US would be better off sending its astronauts to the International Space Station “using a trampoline.” In May 2020, Musk responded that “the trampoline is working,” noting his company’s success sending two NASA astronauts into orbit on the Crew Dragon spacecraft – but only after he (nearly) challenged Rogozin to a rap battle in 2019. SpaceX launched a red Tesla into orbit, and Roscosmos sent a red toy “Tesla” manned by a Rogozin cutout in emulation. If only we could all establish such a friendship – it can’t be rocket science!

 

 

 

 

You Might Also Like

Soyuz and Apollo Dock in Space
  • July 01, 2020

Soyuz and Apollo Dock in Space

When cosmonauts and astronauts linked up in space, it represented far more than a technological achievement.
Tesla Comes to Russia
  • May 26, 2021

Tesla Comes to Russia

“I think we're close to establishing Tesla's presence in Russia, and that would be great. And more broadly, also in Kazakhstan and neighboring regions.” – On May 21, entrepreneur Elon Musk announced that the Tesla line would soon make it to markets in Russia, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries.
Kosmonaughties
  • April 21, 2021

Kosmonaughties

“A**holes. Superpowers do not behave that way." – On April 13, Roscosmos head Dmitriy Rogozin criticized the U.S. Department of State in a Tweet for failing to mention Yuri Gagarin in a Facebook post that commemorates 60 years since the first man flew in space. Such a pity to forget who got there first.
A Veritable Musk-see
  • July 21, 2020

A Veritable Musk-see

The world-famous billionaire reached out to the family of a Soviet rocket scientist to visit SpaceX.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

Fish
February 01, 2010

Fish

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

The Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

White Magic
June 01, 2021

White Magic

The thirteen tales in this volume – all written by Russian émigrés, writers who fled their native country in the early twentieth century – contain a fair dose of magic and mysticism, of terror and the supernatural. There are Petersburg revenants, grief-stricken avengers, Lithuanian vampires, flying skeletons, murders and duels, and even a ghostly Edgar Allen Poe.

Life Stories
September 01, 2009

Life Stories

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955