SOVIET RORSAT SUFFERS A MAJOR MALFUNCTION

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06863659
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: September 30, 2020
• Case Number: F-2019-01181
• Publication Date: November 8, 1977

Approved for Release: 2020/09/28 C06863659
8 NOvEMBER 1977
SOVIET RORSAT SUFFERS A MAJOR MALFUNCTION
Preliminary data ihdicate that Cosmos .94, a radar
ocean reconnaissance satellite (RORSAT;, suffe
major malfunntion that may have occuired
We believe these satellites carry a rriilstfu r7F,:hanigri
to ensure that the spaceciart cf:r. boost its huclear
power supply into a higher orbit, althougl. we do noL
know what criteria are necessary to actIvatc this
failsafe device. Unless this moneJver eccurs, the
radJoact.i'ie matel-Jal at6arr, rcsmns 9!"4 r4.,y rre.te: tr
atmosphere as early as December cf this year.
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imrsemo
8 NOVEMBER 1977
At the end of a RORSAT's collection mission, a portion
of the satellite moves to a higher orbit (about 500
mu), while the remainder stays in the low orbit and
soon decays. We believe these spacecraft are powered by
a nuclear device and th hi evice that is put
into
In effect, the
as a ailsa e device. If the malfunction on
Cosmos 954 includes the failsafe mechanism, then the
satellite will reenter the atmosphere.
as 0 to 60 da s.
reenter the tmosphere,
in as little .
Cosmos 954 was launched on 18 September, two days after
another RORSAT, Cosmos 952. The two satellites were
laced into the same orbital plane
Pairing the sate] lites in this manner alloweri
second satellite to follow up on returns from the first
vehicle (at higher latitudes). This would providr-
limited information on the
target shi
35063/77
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Approved for Release: 2020/09/28 C06863659
Approved for Release: 2020/09/28 C06863659
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8 NOVEMBER 1977
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Approved for Release: 2020/09/28 C06863659