In a recent address, Russian President Vladimir Putin extolled the virtues of Elon Musk, drawing parallels between the tech mogul and Sergei Korolev, the mastermind behind the Soviet Union's space triumphs in the mid-20th century.
This comparison was reported by the state news agency TASS, highlighting Putin's admiration for Musk's relentless pursuit of Martian exploration.
According to TASS, Putin, while discussing Russia's space policy with students, said, "You know, there's a person who lives in the states, you could say that he's absolutely crazy about Mars." He further likened Musk to Korolev, the engineer who played a pivotal role in propelling Yuri Gagarin into the annals of history as the first human to journey into outer space in 1961.
Putin was quoted as saying, "Such people rarely appear in the human population, charged with a certain idea. Even though it may seem incredible to me today, after a time such ideas are often realized."
This is not the first time Putin has lauded Musk, the founder of SpaceX, a leading space technology company. He has previously described Musk as "an outstanding person." Musk, who also serves as a top adviser to President Donald Trump, has recently been vocal in his criticism of Ukraine, a nation that has been embroiled in conflict with Russia since 2022. This was when the Kremlin commanded a massive deployment of troops into Ukraine's territory.
The comparison between Musk and Korolev is indeed intriguing. Korolev, often referred to as the father of practical astronautics, was instrumental in the Soviet Union's space race victories, including the launch of the first intercontinental ballistic missile and the first human spaceflight. On the other hand, Musk, with his ambitious plans for Mars colonization, represents the new age of private space exploration.
Musk's SpaceX has been at the forefront of revolutionizing space travel, with its reusable rockets and ambitious plans for manned missions to Mars. His vision of making life multiplanetary aligns with Korolev's pioneering spirit, making the comparison by Putin apt.
However, Musk's outspoken criticism of Ukraine, a country in conflict with Russia, adds a political dimension to his persona. As a top adviser to President Trump, his views carry significant weight and can influence the geopolitical landscape.
The praise from Putin, a leader known for his conservative stance and strategic acumen, underscores the global recognition of Musk's contributions to space exploration. It also highlights the universal appeal of space exploration, transcending political and geographical boundaries.
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