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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

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