Support The Moscow Times!

Russia’s Answer to Elon Musk's SpaceX Falcon Heavy Launch in Memes

Alexander Pelevin / Twitter @comrade_wolgast

When Elon Musk on Tuesday successfully launched a rocket toward Mars carrying a red Tesla, some saw it as a landmark moment for space exploration.

Others, however, saw Russia’s status as a cosmic superpower evaporate before their eyes. In the battle for space supremacy, SpaceX has defeated Roscosmos. And what better way to digest that news than with a meme?

Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson made a comeback, saying: “I’m sending you on a journey for which no amount of petrol will suffice.”

https://twitter.com/panphilov/status/961006486406213633

Your rocket vs. the rocket of your mother's friend's son. 

https://twitter.com/linnlilu/status/961000031888297991

Of course, no Russian meme is complete without Vladimir Putin. "The photo Musk is hiding from us."

https://twitter.com/Yoghikitt/status/961242273030787074

Russia's "symmetrical answer" to SpaceX's success.

https://twitter.com/ARoslyakov/status/961003802001313793

Trust Russia's traffic police to disrupt even the most epic of journeys.

https://twitter.com/comrade_wolgast/status/961001878984318977

"I forgot to switch off the iron."

https://twitter.com/traktor_bang/status/960997628896071681

Nowhere to run from an angry girlfriend. "Where are you running off to? I haven't finished speaking."

https://twitter.com/traktor_bang/status/960987532086390785

Trying to find a parking spot in a typically swamped parking lot outside Soviet-era apartments.

https://twitter.com/lnlsl/status/960985927119261697

Piglet Pyotr, the Russian symbol for those who want to emigrate, is in the front seat. 

https://twitter.com/dobrokotov/status/960993878194221056

And who would ever be able to leave anywhere without getting a message from their mother asking whether they haven't forgotten to put their hat on!

https://twitter.com/tamtamchat/status/961128588891361280

Maybe, this commenter suggests, Russians can only hope for divine intervention.

https://twitter.com/PoliticanaRu/status/961249098618851328

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysiss and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more