10 Killer Tech Innovations You Didn’t Know Came from the Soviet Union
In Soviet Russia, technology invents you
Published 3 months ago in Wow
Americans may be more than familiar with our technological feats — the moon landing, the telephone, spray cheese — but we're far from the only country to lean into the spirit of innovation. Just take a look at the Soviet Union's world-changing spacecraft, phones and video games.
From organ transplant techniques to a flame-throwing car, here are 10 killer inventions you didn't know came from the Soviet Union.
5
Images of the Moon’s Far Side
“The Soviet Union captured the first images of the far side of the moon in 1959 using radiation-resistant film recovered from a downed US spy balloon. This technology was essential to protect the film from radiation in space, and the Soviets were unable to produce their own at the time.”
6
Venus-Bound Spacecrafts
“The Soviets sent more than a dozen spacecraft to Venus over 30 years as part of their Venera Program. Some missions failed, but many succeeded: Venera 3 was the first spacecraft to crash into another planet, while Venera 9 captured the first images from the surface of another planet.”
7
The Artificial Satellite
“Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite put into space, transmitted on 20.005 and 40.002 MHz which were detectable by amateur radio operators. After orbiting for about 3 weeks, its batteries had died. Two months later, it burned up, falling back into the atmosphere, kick-starting the space race.”