Russia's Satellite-Killer Technology

Russia Has Had Satellite-Killer Tech For A Long Time

By YURY ZAITSEV,
UPI Outside View Commentator
Published: Nov. 5, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Courtesy Of United Press International

MOSCOW, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- On Nov. 1, 1963, the Soviet Polyot-1 spacecraft, the first satellite capable of maneuvering in orbit, was launched from the Tyura-Tam firing range, now called the Baikonur Space Center, in Kazakhstan.

Polyot-1, which was also capable of changing its altitude and orbital inclination, was, in fact, a prototype Soviet anti-satellite weapon -- ASAT -- system called Istrebitel Sputnikov ("Interceptor of Satellites").

On Nov. 1, 1968, a similar spacecraft intercepted an orbital target for the first time.

On Aug. 11 and 12, 1962, the Soviet Union launched the Vostok-3 and Vostok-4 spacecraft carrying Andriyan Nikolayev and Pavel Popovich. The two capsules came within 3 miles of one another, and ship-to-ship radio contact was established during the first dual space flight in history. The mission proved that high launch accuracy could allow even non-maneuvering spacecraft to approach each other, to inspect and even destroy enemy satellites. Spacecraft maneuverability made it possible to enhance interception accuracy.

The United States developed the first ASAT systems in the late 1950s, citing the alleged Soviet threat. Washington feared Moscow's Fractional Orbital Bombardment System, a Soviet intercontinental ballistic missile program in the 1960s.

After launch, such missiles could go into a low-Earth orbit and could then de-orbit for an attack. They had no range limit, and the orbital flight path would not reveal the target location.

This allowed them to streak toward North America over the South Pole, rather than the North Pole, which was closely watched by the North American Aerospace Defense Command's -- NORAD's -- early warning systems.

The Soviet Union adopted its R-36-Orb (NATO designation SS-9 Scarp Mod. 3) intercontinental ballistic missiles in 1968, or 10 years after the development of prototype U.S. ASAT systems intended to destroy reconnaissance, navigation, telecommunications and weather satellites in case of war.

In effect, ASAT systems are used to destroy any spacecraft whenever necessary.

The Soviet Union even wanted to convert Soyuz manned spacecraft into satellite interceptors. The Soyuz-P modified version was, basically, an ASAT system. However, this difficult and dangerous project eventually had to be scrapped.

It was also proposed to fire mini-rockets from manned and automatic satellite interceptors and to orbit booby-trapped satellites near spacecraft earmarked for destruction. After receiving orders from mission control centers, the explosive-laden satellites were to have approached them, exploding on impact.

The Soviet Union finally selected the cheapest and simplest anti-satellite weapon design option available to it. A launch vehicle orbits a satellite interceptor with a 660-pound warhead near the target. After firing its thrusters, the interceptor moves close to the target and explodes, sending numerous fragments in every direction and destroying everything within a 1,000-meter radius.

Polyot-1 and Polyot-2, which lifted off in April 1964, were developed under the supervision of Vladimir Chelomei, a member of the Soviet Academy of Sciences.

Although satellite interceptors were to have been lifted on top of Chelomei's UR-200 rockets, production of these launch vehicles was delayed. Consequently, a two-stage version of the famous R-7 launch vehicle, developed under the supervision of Sergei Korolev, the Soviet chief rocket designer, was used to orbit them.

The Soviet government later decided to use R-36 intercontinental ballistic missiles, developed by Mikhail Yangel, for orbiting satellite interceptors. The revamped R-36 was redesignated as Tsiklon ("Cyclone") and the Korolev Design Bureau started implementing the entire ASAT program.

The Polyot satellite design remained basically the same, but the spacecraft changed its name to Kosmos.

In 1967-1970, Kosmos-185, Kosmos-217, Kosmos-248 and Kosmos-249 maneuvering satellites were launched. On Nov. 1, 1968, Kosmos-252 successfully destroyed the first spacecraft in orbit.

(Part 2: Russia's 21st century ASAT options)

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(Yury Zaitsev is an academic adviser with the Russian Academy of Engineering Sciences. This article is reprinted by permission of RIA Novosti. The opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti.)

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(United Press International's "Outside View" commentaries are written by outside contributors who specialize in a variety of important issues. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of United Press International. In the interests of creating an open forum, original submissions are invited.)

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