Photographer Eric Lusito Documents Former Soviet Scientific Megastructures
Photographer Eric Lusito has embarked on a journey across the former Soviet Union to capture the remnants of vast scientific sites for his new book, 'Soviet Scientific Institutes.' These sites, once bustling with scientific activity, have been largely abandoned since the fall of the Soviet Union. Lusito's exploration began in Ukraine in late 2021, prior to the Russian invasion, and continued across various locations, including Armenia and Kazakhstan. His photographs reveal the mysterious beauty and historical significance of these megastructures, some of which were designed to replace religious objects of worship. While many sites are in disrepair, others remain beautifully preserved, such as the control room for the Orgov Radio-Optical Telescope in Armenia. Lusito's work highlights the evolution and challenges faced by these scientific institutions, including battles against Moscow's scientific administrators to maintain their operations. 
