Sagdeyev Discusses Space Missions, Policy, Mars Plans

This document is a transcript of an interview with Academician Roald Zinnurovich Sagdeyev, a prominent Soviet physicist and head of the USSR Academy of Sciences' Space Research Institute, published in the January 1989 issue of PRIRODA. The interview covers a wide range of topics concerning the Soviet space program during a period of significant political and economic transition (perestroika). Sagdeyev advocates for the internationalization of space research, arguing that space should not be an arena for competition but a field for collaborative scientific advancement. He highlights the Phobos project as a key endeavor, despite the loss of contact with the Phobos 1 probe in September 1988, and discusses future plans for Mars exploration, including the Mars 94 project. Throughout the interview, Sagdeyev is critical of the 'stagnant years' of the Soviet system, noting that bureaucratic 'secretiveness' and the lack of competitiveness hindered scientific progress. He calls for greater autonomy for research institutes, the democratization of scientific decision-making, and the integration of modern management practices. Sagdeyev also touches upon the relationship between the Soviet and American space programs, expressing hope for future joint missions and criticizing the political barriers that have prevented more effective cooperation. He reflects on the history of the space age, the importance of mathematical modeling in modern space research, and the need for the Soviet scientific community to move beyond the role of a 'junior partner' in global science. The interview concludes with a discussion on the necessity of reforming the USSR Academy of Sciences to better support young scientists and foster genuine innovation.