2001: A Space Odyssey Wiki
2001: A Space Odyssey Wiki
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2001: A Space Odyssey Wiki
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The Soviet badge seen in Peter Hyams' 2010: The Year We Make Contact.

The Soviet Union is a prominent faction in Arthur C. Clarke’s 2010: Odyssey Two and its film adaption. Soviet scientists also appear in 2001: A Space Odyssey and its accompanying film.

2001: A Space odyssey[]

Soviet Russian scientists are seen in Stanley Kubrick's 2001 film, who are waiting to meet with Heywood Floyd to discuss if the "epidemic" at Clavius Base constitutes any threat to Russian operations on the Moon. While waiting, they consider going to the observation deck. The following conversations are heard in the Russian language, but is not in the screenplay; and neither were subtitles provided on the DVD:[1]

2001_A_Space_Odyssey_-_Leonard_Rossiter's_scenes

2001 A Space Odyssey - Leonard Rossiter's scenes

Before meeting Floyd:

Dr. Stretyneva:

Ну куда он сейчас уедем?[note 1]
But when is he possibly coming now?

Dr. Smyslov:

Эээ, приблизительно в два часа.
Er, at approximately 2 o'clock.

Dr. Kalinan:[note 2]

Может быть, пойдем в обсерваторию?
Perhaps, we should go to the observatory?

Elena:

Как только... or "он придет".[note 3]
As soon as he arrives.[note 4]


Notes

  1. A grammar mistake: mixing 3rd person singular pronoun with a 1st person plural verb
  2. Kalinan (Калинан) is the proper name given in Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clark’s screenplay, page. 16. In 2016, some fans questioned the accuracy of the name, as it may not be a common spelling or variation of the masculine form—Kalinin (Калинин). Since Kalinan is listed in the official playscript, Dr. Kalinan is the official canon name for the female scientist, despite accuracy.
  3. The last two words are barely comprehensible
  4. Approximate translation

After Floyd leaves:

Smyslov:

Наверное, им очень трудно.[note 1]
Definitely, he must be having a very hard time.[note 2]

Stretyneva:

По видимости.
Apparently.

Kalinan:

Да, очень трудно.
Yes, they must.[note 3]


Notes

  1. As Floyd left, Smyslov may have used a condescending tone, speaking ill of him or the US faction in general: "He definitely has the greatest difficulty." - followed by a response emulating the same tone: "Obviously"; and Kalinan chiming "Yes, the greatest difficulty."
  2. Can also be translated "It must be difficult for him."
  3. Approximate translation

2010 odyssey[]

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The Soviet faction operated its space program under the CCCP[2] in 2010. They had undergone a joint Soviet/USA mission to Jupiter, in an effort to assist in the recovery of the United States’ Discovery. They provided the Leonov as the vessel by which to reach the Jovian system. The Leonov’s mobility was driven by seven superheated chemical thrusters for interplanetary travel,[2] called the Sakharov Drive. It was a propulsion system that Arthur C. Clarke chose to name after nuclear physist Andrei Sakharov.[3]


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The Cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, Leonov badge

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Joint Soviet/USA mission to Jupiter badge

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The Leonov enroute to Jupiter

References[]

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