Sarov
Sarov
We’re sure its something we can all agree on – so many places that are off-limits within Russia have something to do with nuclear energy. Sarov is a city located within Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, about 230 miles east of Moscow. Sarov is the place where the Russians conduct nuclear research. Similar to other calculated cities, it is massively guarded and out of bounds under normal circumstances. nevertheless, during the ’90s things were somewhat different. In 1993, with the dissolving relationships between Russia and the United States after the collapse of the USSR, Sarov became a sister city to Los Alamos, New Mexico. This is where the Americans directed their nuclear research. Researchers were permitted to visit Sarov.
Space Shuttle Hangar, Baikonur Cosmodrome
Space Shuttle Hangar
Now this one is certainly interesting! Baikonur, formerly known as Leninsk, is situated in Kazakhstan. Even though it is under the sovereignty of Kazakhstan, the Baikonur Cosmodrome is leased to Russia until 2050, and it is the spaceport for Russia’s space operations. If you have the money, it is likely that you are able to join a tour around the spaceport. But, within the spaceport, there is also the hangar that houses the doomed space shuttle projects, which is barred to all visitors. The space shuttle, Buran, was created under the Soviet Union. After its completion in the 80s, it did eventually fly into space in 1988. However, due to diverse intentions (e.g. the collapse of the USSR), the project was discarded.
