Guest: Anatoly Zak. Topics: Russian space program & 2nd edition of his book, "Russia In Space: The Past Explained, The Future Explored." Please direct all comments and questions regarding Space Show programs/guest(s) to the Space Show blog, http://thespaceshow.wordpress.com. Comments and questions should be relevant to the specific Space Show program. Written Transcripts of Space Show programs are a violation of our copyright and are not permitted without prior written consent, even if for your own use. We do not permit the commercial use of Space Show programs or any part thereof, nor do we permit editing, YouTube clips, or clips placed on other private channels & websites. Space Show programs can be quoted, but the quote must be cited or referenced using the proper citation format. Contact The Space Show for further information. In addition, please remember that your Amazon purchases can help support The Space Show/OGLF. See www.onegiantleapfoundation.org/amazon.htm. For those listening to archives using live365.com and rating the programs, please email me as to why you assign a specific rating to the show. This will help me bring better programming to the audience. We welcomed Anatoly Zak back to the program to provide updates regarding the Russian space program & to talk about the release of the second edition of his book, "Russia In Space: The Past Explained, The Future Explored." Remember, if you buy it through Amazon, use the OGLF Amazon portal so Amazon will contribute to TSS/OGLF. Instructions are on all archives, the blog, our website and www.onegiantleapfoundation.org. In the first segment, Anatoly said the Russian program was at a crossroads wanting to develop new systems for the lunar mission & BLEO, building a new launch site ,Vostochny, while maintaining existing programs including the ISS. He talked about programs falling behind schedule, proposed timelines followed by delays. I asked him about the Russian tax system. Anatoly told us it was a flat tax system but that it was driven by their natural resources, especially energy. In response to many questions, we learned that the Russian program has some struggles that make it similar to what is happening with NASA. Anatoly talked about the new rocket Angara. The Angara 5 is supposed to have its test flight on Dec. 25. He also said there was a super SLS type rocket being planned but specifics were unknown at this time. When asked for the biggest challenge to the Russian space program, he said it was the budget. A listener asked about a possible joint China-Russian lunar or Mars program. Anatoly suggested that were something like that to happen, China would probably be behind it. We talked some about the second printing of his book, "Russia In Space: The Past Explained, The Future Explored." Another listener wanted to know the origins of the Russian program. We talked politics, sanctions, and the ISS relationship with NASA. Returning their Proton rocket to flight was mentioned & Anatoly talked at length about their quality control problems. SLS John called to talk about Russian nuclear propulsion. The last caller of the segment, Richard Easton, talked about Russian GPS, GLONASS, timing & the early days with the Russian navy. In the second segment, Anatoly talked about the Russian planetary program including EXOMARS with ESA for searching for life on Mars, their proposed HSF lunar program plus other missions on the planning table. In response to a question, he did say their was lots of competition between the planetary side and HSF. Roger wanted to know about becoming a cosmonaut, & Barbara wanted to know about space tourism to the Moon. For the balance of the year, Anatoly said eyes were on the Dec. 25th test flight for the new Angara 5 heavy rocket. Re the ISS, he expected it to remain as it is today. Please post comments/questions on TSS blog above. You can reach Anatoly through me or his website, www.russianspaceweb.com.