<p>A giant Soviet telescope looks like a remnant of an older and more advanced civilization.</p><p>Its history matches this impression. The Kalyazin RT-64 radio telescope was developed to support communications with robotic missions to Venus and Mars and to prepare for possible manned expeditions to these planets.</p><p>The telescope is located near the city of Kalyazin, and still in operation today. Its scientific tasks include deep space communications and astrophysical research.</p>