# Photographer Documents Abandoned Soviet Science Megastructures
Eric Lusito traveled across the former Soviet Union to photograph enormous scientific installations, many of which sit vacant, for a new book project. The expedition captures sprawling research complexes abandoned after the Soviet collapse in 1991.
Lusito's photography reveals the scale of Soviet scientific ambition during the Cold War era. The structures include particle physics laboratories, radio telescopes, atmospheric research stations, and other facilities that once represented cutting-edge research infrastructure. Many installations remain partially operational or completely deserted, their equipment corroding and buildings crumbling.
The project documents more than just architectural decay. These sites represent a critical period in global science history when the Soviet Union invested heavily in fundamental research across multiple disciplines. Scientists at these facilities conducted work in high-energy physics, astrophysics, materials science, and other fields that contributed to international scientific knowledge.
Some complexes operated for decades before funding dried up following the Soviet Union's dissolution. The transition to a market economy left many research institutions without resources to maintain facilities or continue operations. Others transformed into tourist attractions or were repurposed for different uses. A few continue limited research activities.
Lusito's photography project brings attention to these overlooked scientific landmarks. The images serve as documentation of Cold War-era research infrastructure at a time when some sites face increasing deterioration or demolition. His work also raises questions about scientific legacy and how nations preserve research history.
The book captures both the grandeur of these installations and the reality of their current abandonment. The photographs document architectural styles, equipment, and layouts that reflect Soviet engineering and scientific priorities. For historians of science and Cold War studies, the project provides visual evidence of the Soviet Union's scientific reach and subsequent infrastructure challenges.