MILITARY THOUGHT (TOP SECRES): 'AMERICAN MILITARY TECHNICAL MEANS OF COMBAT IN SPACE' BY MAJOR GENERAL OF THE ENGINEER-TECHNICAL SERVICE P. VYSOTSKIY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP33-02415A000500190010-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 24
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 6, 2002
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: December 1, 1961
• Content Type: REPORT

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COUNTRY : USSR
SUBJECT : MILITARY THOUGHT (TOP SECRET): "American Military
Technical Means of Combat in Space" by Major Gen-
eral of the Engineer-Technical Service P. Vysotskiy
APPRAISAL
OF CONTENT : Documentary
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Following is a verbatim translation of an article titled
"American Military Technical Means of Combat in Space", by
Major General of the Engineer-Technical Service P. Vysotski.y.
This article appeared in the 1962 First Issue of a
special version of the Soviet military journal Voyennaya
Mysl (Military Thought). This journal is published irre-
gularly and is classified TOP SECRET by the Soviets. The
1962 First Issue went to press on 29 December 1961.
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Comment: Military Thought is published by
the USSR Ministry of Defense in three versions, classified
RESTRICTED, SECRET, and TOP SECRET. The RESTRICTED version
has been issued monthly since 1937, while the other two
versions are issued irregularly. The TOP SECRET version
was initiated in early 1960. By the end of 1961, 61 issues
of the SECRET version had been published, 6 of them during 1961.
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American Military Technical Means of Combat in Space
Major General of the Engineer-Technical Service
P. Vysotskiy
The first scientific-research work on the creation of
military space devices for the conduct of special types of
reconnaissance (photo reconnaissance and radiotechnical re-
connaissance), as well as for the delivery of nuclear strikes
from space against strategic ground targets using satellite
missiles (snaryad-sputnik), were begun in the USA in 1946,
while the creation of reconnaissance apparatus (television,
facsimile television, photo locator, and radar) for earth
satellites was begun in 1950.
Direction and coordination of this work was assigned
to the U.S. Navy Department, with the participation of
forces and means from the Department of the Air Force.
About 50 large firms were called on to cooperate in the
work at that time. In order to create military space de-
vices and systems, the Americans needed data on conditions
in space and their possible effect on satellites sent into
space. In July 1955, the U.S. Government announced pre-
parations for launching artificial earth satellites with
a variety of scientific research apparatus during the 1957-
1958 Geophysical Year. Preparations for the launchings were
carried out in a unified program by the Defense Department,
the Academy of Sciences and the U.S. National Committee for
the International Geophysical Year. This project was de-
signated ''Vanguard`'. Responsibility for development of
the carrier missiles, preparation of launching sites and
launching of the satellites was placed upon the Department
of Defense.
Fulfillment of the "Vanguard" program commenced in
December 1957. However, the first attempt to launch a
satellite into orbit proved unsuccessful. The "Vanguard-l"
satellite was not successfully launched into space until
17 March 1958.
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This program was concluded in September 1959 and proved
the most unsuccessful of the American space programs. As a
result of 11 launch attempts, only three satellites were put
into orbit, and they permitted the collection of only the most
general data on the physical parameters of the outer layers
of the atmosphere and of the space nearest the earth.
Failures in carrying out the "Vanguard" program forced
the Americans hastily to work out the new "Explorer" research
program on the basis of carrier-missiles, using "Jupiter"
and "Thor" medium-range ballistic missiles as the first stages.
(More recently, the specially created "Scout" research carrie:r-
miss il:e has been used for this purpose.)
The ''Explorer-11r satellite, launched 31 January 1958,
three months after the first Soviet satellite, became the
first American satellite put into orbit around the earth.
But this program also has not yet been completed.
In August 1958, the Americans proceeded to carry out the
"Pioneer" space research program on the basis of carrier-mis-
siles using "Jupiter", "Thor" and "Atlas" ballistic missiles
as first stages, in order to study the physical parameters
of space within the limits of the earth's orbit, as well as
in the area of the moon and sun. But in this program also,
not everything worked out successfully. Of the 9 attempted
launchings, only two were crowned with success. The "Pioneer-4
and "Pioneer 511 space devices were, in the first case, put in
orbit around the moon and' in the second case , in orbit about
the sun.
Development of the first military earth satellites, and
particularly the reconnaissance satellites of the "Pied Piper"
project, continued simultaneously with preparations for the
realization of scientific-research programs. In 1958, as a
result of the lag behind the USSR and the numerous failures
in satellite launchings, all space programs were reviewed in
the USA and the decision was taken to expedite the creation
of military space systems.
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On the basis of the "Pied Piper" project, three main'pro-
jects for the creation of military reconnaissance satellites
had taken shape by 1959: the experimental project "Discoverer"
and the long-term experimental projects, "Samos" and "Midas",
development and test launchings of which are being carried out
at the present time. It was at this same time that intensive
planniig and development of other, long-term military technical
means of waging armed combat in space was begun.
At the present time, work in the creation of space weapons
and space research means is being conducted on the basis of the
program adopted in 1960 and designed for the period 1960 to 1975.
A centralized governmental system of direction has been created
for the fulfillment of the program. Responsibility for the de-
velopment of military satellites has been placed upon the De-
partment of Defense, and for the practical work, on the Air Force
Weapons Systems Development Qommand. The National Aeronautics
and Space Agency is responsible for work at the national level
and for the fulfillment of a number of military programs.
The 15-year plan proposes the placing of about 970 space
devices into space, of which about 570 will be of purely mili-
tary designation.
At present, carrier-missiles and military space craft are
being developed to accomplish the following basic tasks:
the placing of light, medium and heavy research payloads
and military space craft of various designation into
space.. in various orbits;
the support of various combat operations of all types
of armed forces for the purpose of raising their effec4
tiveness (military earth satellites);
- the conduct of armed combat in space and the destruction
of targets on earth from space (carrier-satellites and
space bombers with nuclear/missile weapons);
the implementation of antimissile and antispace defense
of the North American continent (satellites and maneuverable
space craft).
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Let us examine briefly the projected military technical
means intended for the conduct of armed combat in space.
Carrier Missiles. During the forthcoming 15-year period
of exploration and mastery of space,. it is, planiie?d' . that,
extensive use will be made of carrier-missiles which have al-
ready been developed and are currently in use, employing~as
first stages, modernized "Thor" and "Atlas" ballistic missiles,
with specialized second and third stages.
Such missiles include: - "Thor-Able", "Thor-Delta" and
"Thor-Agena B". They are intend for placing 500 to 700 kg
payloads into space. The weight of these carrier-missiles is
about 59 to 55 tons, with a first-stage power-plant thrust of
about 68 tons. The utilization of 210 such missiles is planned
by 1975.
"Atlas-Able" and "Atlas-Agena B",. intended for placing
payloads of up to 1.6 tons into space in higher orbits. The
weight of the carrier-missile is about 110 tons, with a first-
stage power.-plant thrust of about 170 tons. It is intended
that about 590 such missiles will be used over the 15 years.
During the period 1963 to 1968, the Americans plan to
conclude development and commence practical use of three new
types of carrier-missiles, the "Atlas-Centaur", "Saturn" and
"Nova".
The "Atlas-Centaur" carrier-missile will have as its
first stage a significantly modernize and improved variation
of the "Atlas" missile and as its second stage, the "Centaur"
missile, operating on liquid fuel (oxygen and hydrogen). The
launching weight of this carrier-missile will exceed 110 tons,
with a first stage thrust of about 176 tons. The thrust of the
second-stage engine. will be 14 tons. This missile will be
able to put a : payload of four tons in,-.a 500-km high orbit,
and deliver a payload of about one ton to the moon. The missile
is now in the concluding stage of development and testing of
its second-stage power plants. Practical utilization of the
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missile is planned for 1963, and it is intended that about 65
military and scientific-research space devices will be put into
space by 1975, using this missile.
The "Saturn" carrier-missile is being developed in three
versions, which are intended to place payloads of from 10 to
50 tons into space with a launching weight of 525 to 650 tons.
The distinctive feature of this missile is that it is to be
composed of five standard, unified".stages, designated S-I,
S-II, S-III, S-IV and S-V,,' which can be put together for C-1,
C-2 and C-3 missiles in several variations to expand the ranges
of payloads put into space.
The "Saturn C-1" carrier-missile has been under develop-
ment since 1958, under the initiative of the Department of
Defense and can have two-or three-stage versions.
According to project data, the first stage S-1 consists
of 8 H-1 liquid-fuel rocket engines with 85 tons of thrust
each. Its total thrust is 680 tons, length 24.5 meters and
diameter 6.5 meters.
The second stage, S-IV, is a cluster (svyazka) of six
L-10 liquid-fuel rocket engines with 6.8 tons of thrust each,
operating on liquid fuel(oxygen and hydrogen). Thrust of the
second stage is about 41 tons, length 15.2 meters, and diameter
5.5 meters. The third stage is a cluster of two RL-10 engines,
with a total thrust of 13.6 tons, 16.2 meters in length and
3 meters in diameter.
The first launching of the "Saturn C-1" missile was carried
out in October 1961, with a functioning first stage and dummy
second and third stages. It is planned that 10 "Saturn C-1"
missiles will be launched before 1964 as experiments. The
Americans are expediting its development in every way. It is
possible that the missile will be ready for practical use in
1964.
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According to calculations of the American specialists,
the three-stage version of the "Saturn C-1" should assure
the orbiting of space hardware of the following weights:
10-ton earth satellites in a 500-km high orbit, a 5.4-ton
space craft in orbit around the moon, a 4,1-ton space craft
in orbit around the sun and 6.8-ton "Dyna-Soar" aerospace
craft (raketoplan) in orbit about the earth.
The "Saturn C-2" carrier-missiles (two-or three-staged)
and the "Saturn C-3" (four- or five-stage) are considered more
powerful than the "Saturn C-1" and will put loads of up to
50 tons into space. The completion of their development is
planned for 1966 or 1967, The "Saturn" missiles are considered
to be the basic American heavy missile, and the tentative re-
quirement for them for fulfillment of military and research
programs is 70 to 80 missiles.
The "Nova" carrier-missile is a five-stage system. It
is to have a launching weight of 2100 tons, a first-stage
power. plant thrust of 2700 to 4000 tons, is to put a payload
of 70 tons into a low orbit around the earth and 20 tons into
24-hour orbit, deliver a 12-ton space craft with three astronauts
to the moon, and ensure the return of a 3-ton capsule back to earth.
It is proposed that a cluster of four or six F-1 type engines,
operating on high-caloric fuel and liquid oxygen, will be used
as the first stage in this missile, It is proposed that a
cluster of F-1 engines will be used as the second stage as well.
Subsequent stages (possibly three more) will use engines operat-
ing on liquid oxygen and hydrogen. Test launchings of the missile
are planned for 1966, and practical utilization beginning in 1968.
It is planned that 20 such missiles will be produced for the 15-year
program.
There also exist more long-term projects for the creation
of carrier-missiles during the period 1970;-1980. They include
"Arcturus", "Antares" and "Aldebaran":;. which, according to
American plans, should ensure an even more extensive mastery of
space. Only a few estimated data are known about these carrier-
missiles.
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"Arcturus" is designed to have a launching weight of 1,000
to 1,600 tons, with a first-stage maximum thrust of 1 ,3 60 to
2,000 tons.
"Antares" will have a launching weight of 4,500 to 9,000 tone,
and should be able to place a load of 1,100 to 2,000 tons in orbit
around the earth and deliver a load of 900 to 1,800 tons to the
moon.
"Aldebaran" is a single-stage cruise missile weighing
50,000 tons, equipped with an improved-type nuclear power plant,
and is designed to place a load of 9,000 tons in orbit around
the earth and deliver a load of 3,000 tons to the moon.
The designs for these carrier-missiles are, for the time
being, based on very approximate calculations; test flights
are projected for 1975 to 1980.
The present lack of powerful carrier-missiles, capable
of putting large payloads into space, makes the Americans quite
feverish and impedes their general progress in the mastery of
space and the development of carrier-missiles. It is no coin-
cidence, therefore, that governmental scientific centers and
a number of the larger aircraft and missile construction firms
are proposing the most varied designs, which.,to a significant
degree, encumbers the development of space means of combat.
In this connection, preliminary research under U.S. Air
Force direction has been donducted and is continuing on the
feasibility of creating a single, long-term complex of carrier-
missiles for the universal accomplishment of the tasks in
mastering space. This entire complex of work has been given
the general designation: Project "Phoenix". By now, the optimum
dimensions and configuration of the carrier-missiles have already
been determined; methods of assembly, transport and launching
have been refined;and problems in the creation of re-usable
missile stages have also been studied under this project.
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Out of all the carrier-missile designs, 10 types have
been selected, mainly using liquid-fuel rocket engines
(zhidkostno-reaktivnyy dvigatel - ZhRD) which operate on
liquid, oxygen and hydrogen, and a turbo-pump system of fuel,
feed.
Under the "Phoenix" project it is proposed to create
five basic modifications of two-or three-stage carrier-missiles,
with a first-stage thrust of 220 to 1,330 tons, capable of put-
ting 6.8 to 42-ton payloads into orbit around the earth.
While the cost of putting one kilogram of payload into
orbit costs $10,000 to $100,000 using the early types of car-
rier-missiles, the average cost is $2,200 for the missiles
which are used at present. Missiles created under Project
"Phoenix" should lower the cost of delivery into orbit to
$220 per kilogram of payload.
The high cost of delivery is caused by the one-time use
of the first and second stages of the carrier-missile. There-
fore, great attention is currently being devoted to the de-
velopment of re-usable first booster stages. Thus ,the fea.si-
bility.'is being examined of creating boosters with a parachute
recovery system possessing wings and control surfaces., which
can be recovered by means of gliding in the atmosphere be-
fore landing, with turbo-jet engines assuring vertical land-
ing, as well as boosters using turbo-jet engines as the pri-
mary engines. It will be possible to create such boosters by
1970.
Earth satellites of military designation for the support
of combat operations. a deve opment of a num. er of satellites
of military designation has been in progress since 1957 and 1958.
They are intended for the collection of intelligence information
on objectives and targets on the territories of the countries
of the probable enemy, intelligence on the activity of missile
troops, for assuring precise radio-navigation, geodetic tying in
of the nets of various co'htinents and strategic targets to geo-
c etic nets, as well as for providing uninterrupted and reliable
radio communications for the control of troop operations and
the receipt of timely and precise meteorological information.
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The basic military satellites, projected for practical
utilization in 1962 to 1965,include the "Samos", "Midas",
"Transit", "Advent" and "Rebound" satellites; the "Tiros",
"Nimbus" and "Aeros" meteorological satellites; and the
"Anna" and "Secor" geodetic satellites.
The "Samos" satellites are intended for reconnaissance
of ground targe s issi a an air ases, ma,~or in us trial
enterprises, areas of troop concentration, fleets at sea,etc.)
as well as of radio emissions from ground radiotechnical
facilities. These satellites are put into polar orbit at
an altitude of about 500 km by means of the "Atlas-Agena B"
carrier-missiles. Photo-television apparatus, photo apparatus,
as well as radio intelligence apparatus can be installed within
these satellites.
Photo-television apparatus serves for reconnaissance of
ground targets. It consists of a photographic camera, auto-
matic apparatus to develop the photographic film on board the
satellites and a television installation to transmit the image
received on the photographic film to ground television receiver
stations, where the images are reproduced on the television
screen and photographed a second time to obtain a photographic
intelligence document. It is considered possible to distin-
guish objects on earth with linear dimensions of 76 to 152
meters on the first photographs using this apparatus, which
are transmitted from an orbit of about 500 km in altitude. It
is possible to sketch only the most general picture of the
enemy's territory on the basis of intelligence information:
received from such apparatus.
The Americans plan to utilize photo-television apparatus
capable of revealing objects with linear dimensions of 2.5 to
3.5 meters for detailed reconnaissance of previously noted
areas in the enemy's territory from the same altitudes
The Americans give first preference to photographic ap-
paratus, since, if it is of high quality, it can provide the
photographing of large areas of the earth's surface during
a brief period of time. However, in this instance it is
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necessary to return containers with photographic films from
orbit to the earth in order to obtain the intelligence infor-
mation. Therefore, the photographic apparatus is located in
the body of the second stage of the carrier-missile, while
the container for receiving the exposed photographic film
is located in its nose cone and is equipped with a system
for separation from the missile and a parachute recovery sys-
tem. Development of the system for return and recovery of
the containers is being carried out by the Americans in
the "Discoverer" experimental reconnaissance satellites.
Of 25 such satellites placed into orbit up to the present h
time, 11 containers with experimental reconnaissance ap-
paratus and photographic film have been returned.
Photographic apparatus with a resolution capability
"optical-film" on the order of 40 to 100 lines to the milli-
meter is being developed to equip the "Samos" satellites. The
use of photographic apparatus with focal lengths of 30, 90
and 360 cm will permit the exposure on photographs of objects
having linear dimensions of 0.7 to 18 meters when photograph-
ing from an orbit of about 240 km. To illustrate what this
means, it can be noted that aerial photographs used during
the Second World War which were taken from altitudes of about
9 kilometers could reveal objects with linear dimensions of
4.5 to 6 meters on the photographs. Therefore, the employ-
ment of high-quality aerial films and cameras with large
focal lengths, opens up great prospects for photographic re-
connaissance from satellites. Thus, it is known that in 1960
"Lockheed" and a number of other firms were assigned the de-
velopment of the "Samos E-6" photo-reconnaissance satellite,
weighing about 1400 kilograms. It was planned to include up
to 12 photographic cameras with various focal lengths and
several types of photographic film of varying sensitivity
in the satellite's complement of equipment. The containers
with the apparatus and the exposed film are to be returned
from orbit individually or in groups,using the recovery
systems equipment. The SNAP-8 nuclear power source~generat-
ing 30 kw and destined to function for one year, is being de-
veloped to power the equipment on board the "Samos".
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In order to decipher the great volume of information re-
ceived from the satellites, high-speed electronic computers
are being developed which should rapidly reveal. objectives and
targets, compare them with similar images, identify the nature
and purpose of the objectives and produce printed and graphic
information about them which is suitable for utilization by
the armed forces. Five C-130 "Hercules" military transport
aircraft are being re-equipped at the present time to pick up
photographic containers being returned from "Samos" satellites..
Reconnaissance radar sets, which would be capable of mak-
ing satisfactory identification of major military and industrial
objectives from altitudes of about 400 km, are also being devel--
oped to be installed on board the "Samos" satellites.
During the period 1960 and 1961, the Americans attempted
four times to launch "Samos" satellites, but were successful
in placing only two in obit (with an effective period of ser-
vice of about one month) Design work on the "Samos" is being
carried on extremely actively by the Americans. They hope to
obtain data, by means of these satellites, primarily on the dis-
position of intercontinental missile-launching mounts and air
bases of strategic aviation. However, because of the complexity
of the problem, the Americans were unable to fulfill their
projected plans for 13 launchings during 1960 and 1961. For
1962, 20 "Samos" satellite launchings are envisaged by the plan,
and subsequently 6 to 8 satellites are to be put into orbit
annually for periodic reconnaissance of targets in areas of the
enemy's territory which are of interest, and particularly in
the arctic areas of the Soviet Unioa.
The "Midas" satellites are intended for reconnaissance of
nuclear/missile strikes against U.S. territory while they are
being carried out, with 25 to 30 minutes early warning before
the missiles reach their designated targets. Ballistic missiles
should be detected by the "Midas" satellites,1 to 2 minutes
after launching,. by the intensive thermal radiation of their
power plants during the active sector of the missileg.'. flight
trajectory. The "Midas" satellite system is, therefore, more
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advanced than the system of radar stations for ultra long-range
detection of missiles which permits the detection of missiles only
after they rise above the line of the horizon and enter the zone
of the beam of the radar stations. The possibility of detecting
ballistic missiles at an effective range of 16,000 to 24,000 km,
when their strike may be directed at the U.S. by way of the South-
ern Hemisphere, where there are no ultra long-range missile detec-
tion radar posts, is considered to be another advantage of the
"Midas" satellite system.
On board each "Midas" satellite there is an infra-red scan-
ning mechanism, for detection of the fact that a missile has
been launched (either individually or a mass salvo of missiles).
The receiving element of this mechanism (in one of its experimen-
tal models) is sensitive to radiations in the wave band of 10-100
microns, and possesses selectivity which permits it to distinguish
infrared radiations of intercontinental missile engines from emana-
tions of other ground heat sources (blast furnaces, coke-conversion
combines, forest fires, etc.).
On the basis of data from the scanning mechanism, the satel-
lite's computing equipment must determine the missile's approxi-
mate direction of flight and the area against which the strike
is delivered. These data and the alarm signal from the satellite
go to a data-transmitting radio apparatus, then to special ground
posts for observation of the satellites and the receipt of .infor-
mation. It is also considered possible subsequently to transmit
the information from the satellites to ground receiving points
through a network of special active communications satellites,
which are being developed in the "Courier" and "Advent" projects.
A network of 20 "Midas" satellites, moving in orbits with
an apogee of 2,500 km and a perigee of 320 kip, will have to be
created in order to provide uninterrupted observation of the
enemy's territory.
The "Midas" satellites have been under intensive develop-
ment by the Americans since 1958. "Midas" satellite launchings
commenced in 1960. In all, 4 launchings were carried out and
3 satellites were placed in orbit. It is known, for example,
that the "Midas 4" satellite detected the experimental launching
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of an American "Titan" ballistic missile two minutes after
launching and transmitted the detection signal to earth.
According to the estimate of the Americans, in spite of the
intensive work, fulfillment of the "Midas" project is lag-
ging about 10 months behind the planned schedule. The
launching of 10 satellites annually with an effective dura-
tion of more than a year is envisaged for the period 1962
to 1965, according to the "Midas" satellite-launching pro-
gram, drafted for 15 years.
The "Transit" radio-navigational satellites are in-
tended by the Americans for the precise navigation of vessels
and aircraft, and primarily for the existing missile-carrying
submarines armed with "Polaris" missiles, and strategic bom-
bers carrying "air-to-surface" class "Hound Dog" and "Sky
Bolt" missiles. It is known that at the present time there
exist a multitude of autonomous and non-autonomous(operating
jointly with ground apparatus) navigational systems. However,
they provide precise navigation only in equipped areas and
require constant correction of their readings.
In turn, non-autonomous navigational systems, even those
providing high precision in fixing coordinates, are considered
by the Americans to be vulnerable, for even if only one station
is put out of commission by the enemy, the system is rendered
practically useless. The utilization of such systems to fix
the launching point for "Polaris", "Hound Dog" and "Sky Bolt"
missiles is considered unreliable as well. According to
American calculations, the "Transit" satellites should fix
coordinates for vessels or aircraft with an accuracy of about
200 meters.
Moreover, the Americans consider a system of radio-navi-
gational satellites to be invulnerable because the means to
combat such satellites have not yet been created.
The operating principle of the system, which consists of
6 or 8 satellites, is the following. The satellite, with a
complex set of radio-electronic apparatus on board (a high-
stability radio transmitter, a recording mechanism, a trans-
mitter of the parameters of the satellite's orbit, and source
of power) is placed.in a calculated circular orbit at an
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altitude of 700 to 900 kilometers. The satellite's ground
control station measures the precise parameters of its orbit
once every 24 hours and transmits them to the satellite, where
they are recorded on magnetic tape. Simultaneously, time ad-
justment signals are sent to the satellite. While moving in
orbit, the satellite transmits to earth, at intervals of 1 to
2 minutes, a signal from its stable transmitter, data on the
parameters of its orbit and signals of standard time. On the
basis of all these data, the vessel or aircraft receiving-
measuring and computing apparatus calculates the precise coor-
dinates of the location of the vessel or aircraft. The pre-
cise coordinates of the location just before missile launchings
of missile-carrying submarines (in submerged position and re-
ceiving the "Transit" satellite signals on a trailing antenna,
fixed to a buoy).,or a carrier bombers are fed into the computer
apparatus of their flight control system and serve as the ini-
tial data in firing against the selected targets.
"Transit" satellites have been under development by the
Americans since 1957. These were the very first satellites
intended for the creation of a radio-na.rigational net operating
in actual practice. Of the seven satellites launched in 1960
and 1961, five were put in orbit. The last of them, "Transit 4A",
is equipped with a "SNAP-3" nuclear reactor, which will provide
electric power for the radio-technical apparatus on board for a
period of one year. It is considered that it fully meets the
necessary requirements in its tactical-technical characteristics.
It is planned that 12 such satellites will. be put into space
in 1962 and 1963. An operating network of them should include
six satellites, of which four are to be put into circular orbits
with an angle of inclination of the planes of their orbits to
the equator of about 670, while two are to be put into circular
equatorial orbits at an altitude of 700 to 900 km. It is
planned that 114 "Transit" satellites will be put into space
in 15 years.
The "Rebound" and "Advent" communications satellites are
intended for a global radio communications net, which will pro-
vide control of the combat operations of all. types of armed
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forces and primarily for the strategic attack weapons of the USA.
It is known that the Americans are striving to develop re-
liable radio communications means in order to bring, primarily
strategic aviation, intercontinental. ballistic missiles and
submarine missile carriers, up to combat readiness and to con-
trol their combat operations. For this purpose, in addition to
the creation of a global communications net, the Americans are
conducting work on the search for radio communications means
for control under exceptional conditions, using high-altitude
missiles of the "Tattle Tale" project, and are also studying
the feasibility of creating passive communications satellites
and passive reflecting belts, located in orbits around the earth,
and active communications earth satellites.
The "Tattle Tale" project envisages the creation of a battery
of high-altitude missiles, which are to be lofted to an altitude
of 1,600 km,carrying transmitting and relaying apparatus,when the
normal functioning of other means of control has been disrupted,
It is to transmit to command posts of all types of armed forces
instructions to bring them up to combat readiness, and combat
orders for the commencement of combat operations.
The utilization of communications earth satellites is consid-
ered a long-term prospect.. Two varieties of communications
satellites are being developed for these purposes: the passive,
which reflect signals sent to them from transmitting to receiving
points, and active, containing receiving and transmitting radio
communications apparatus on board, which provide for the relaying
of communications sent to the satellite from the transmitting to
the receiving points. Depending on the height of the orbit, such
satellites can provide ultra-short-wave communications at distances
of thousands of kilometers, which will make it possible to dispense
with the use of numerous earth relay stations, which are complex
to build and are expensive.
The first experimental passive satellite was the "Echo 1.",
launched into space in 1960 and currently in orbit. It provides
periodic radio communications between the east and west coasts
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of the USA, as well as between the USA and the countries of
Europe. In appearance, this satellite is an inflated globe,
30 meters in diameter, manufactured from thin film, and
covered with a thin layer of aluminum paint in order to in-
crease its capacity to reflect radio waves.
A shortcoming of this type of satellite is, nevertheless,
its low radio-wave reflecting capability, which necessitates
the construction of great antenna systems at transmitting and
receiving points, capable of automatically tracking the satel-
lite during flight, in order to create reliable radio communi-
cations lines.
Work on the "Rebound" project is being carried out in this
connection. The "Rebound" satellites will also take the form
of inflated structures, but of lesser diameter, and in order
to increase the reflection of rad.io.waves,their outer surface
will be filled out in the form of numerous conjugate corner
reflectors (sopryazhennyy ugolkovyy otrazhatel). The launch-
ing of about 46 such satellites is planned for the period 1962
to 1965, but according to estimates of the Americans, even
they will not accomplish the tasks of creating global radio
communications nets.
For two years the Americans tried unsuccessfully to create
an artificial reflection belt around the earth (in polar orbit)
out of metallic reflecting dipoles. At first, the project for the
creation of an artificial reflection belt bore the designation
"Needle", but afterwards the designation "West Ford". This pro-
ject envisages placing in orbit a satellite with a container hold-
ing reflecting dipoles, which,when distributed along the orbit,
will create a reflection belt for radio waves and will be able
to provide uninterrupted radio communications, particularly in
arctic areas.
An attempt to create such a belt was undertaken with the
launching in October 1961 of the "Midas 4" satellite, within
which a container with dipoles was installed. Because of a
series of malfunctions, the dipoles were not successfully dis-,
persed along the satellite's orbit. It should be noted. that
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this attempt bore an experimental character, and the Americans
themselves had little faith' in the possibility of organizing
reliable radio communications by this method. Most probably
this was a diversionary maneuver in connection with the "Midas 4"
launching.
The more promising satellites for these purposes are the
active communications satellites. Three projects ("Courier",
'rDecree" and "Steer") were being developed for the U.S. Army,
Air. Force and Navy as experimental models of such satellites,
but since 1960 they have been replaced by a single, overall
longterm project called "Advent", the development of which
will take place in three stages.
For the first stage it is proposed that satellites weigh-
ing about 450 kg will be created in order to carry out communi-
cations in the 1700-to 2400-megacycle frequency range on ten
channels, with a transmitter of about 1 watt power and a trans-
mitting antenna 50 cm in diameter.
For the second stage, it is planned that satellites weighing
about 1,360 kg will be created to contain about 490 kg of communi-
cations apparatus. Communications will be carried out on the fre-
quency band of 4400 to 5000 megacycles, with a transmitter output
power of 5 watts. This apparatus is calculated for communications
on. six channels, with each channel having a band width of 100 mega-
cycles. Each broad-band channel can be used for the transmittal
of encoded information on 100 telephone channels and on 1,000
telephone channels for non-coded.
For the third stage, satellites weighing up to 2,000 kg,
destined for 24-hour orbits will be created. The apparatus of
these satellites will be calculated for operating on the 5,000-
to 10,000-megacycle frequency band. These satellites will be
equipped with inflatable parabolic antennas up to 6 meters in
diameter. Miniaturized nuclear power sources are being created
in order to extend the period of service of these satellites.
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It is planned to place "Advent" satellites in orbits up to
3.6,000 km in altitude by means of "Atlas'-Centaur" and "Saturn"
missiles. Two experimental "Advent" satellite launchings were
planned for 1961, but this schedule was not maintained. Two
experimental satellite launchings a year are planned for the
.period 1962 to 1964, while the creation of a global net consist-
ing of three satellites in a 24-hour equatorial orbit will take
place in 1965, using a "Saturn" missile, which is supposed to be
ready for practical use by that time.
The "Nimbus" and "Aeros" meteorological satellites are
f intended or t e creation o meteoro ogica nets for weather
reconnaissance in various areas of the globe for the purpose
of precise weather predictions in support of all types of
armed forces.
The first meteorological satellites were "Tiros" satellites,
equipped with two television cameras capable of transmitting cloud-
cover images to ground reception stations for one year. On earth,
meteorological maps were compiled on the basis of these data,
making it possible to determine the distribution of wind velo-
cities at various altitudes, and of storm centers and the direc-
tion of their movement along the earth's surface. A great quan-
tity of meteorological data were received from the three "Tiros"
satellites placed in orbit during 1960 and 1961, for the analysis
and processing of which attempts were made to utilize electronic
computers. "Nimbus" and "Aeros" satellites with television,
infrared and radar apparatus on board are being created in order
to create a constantly functioning net of meteorological satel-
lites. It is planned to put "Nimbus" satellites in orbits of
about 1,100 km, in altitude and the "Aeros" satellites with
improved television cameras in 24-hour orbits. In all, it is
planned to launch about 60 satellites of this type during the
15-year period.
Data received from the satellites will be processed by
the use of electronic machines and will be transmitted to in-
terested headquarters.
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The "Anna" and "Secor" geodetic satellites are intended for
more precise determination of the earth's shape, for geodetic
tying in of points situated on various continents and of geodetic
nets, particularly the nets of the USSR and USA, by the spatial
triangulation method, as well as for the tying in of strategic
targets to these nets with an accuracy of 10-30 meters, for oper-
ations against them by nuclear/missile weapons of attack.
At the present time, two types of geodetic satellites are
being developed in the USA: optical (Project "Anna") and radio
range-finding satellites (Project "Secor").
The development of satellites in the "Anna" project began in
1958. It was proposed that by the end of 1960, satellites would
be created weighing 50 to 68 kg, and 90 cm in diameter, equipped
with sources for intensive light radiation, and which could be
photographed against the background of stars and on the basis of
these photographs make a geodetic tie in of.nets and targets,
using astronomic calculations. The pulse light source is calcu-
lated for the formation at two-minute intervals of light flashes
with a duration of 1 millisecond and with an intensity of 320 lumens
per second. It was also proposed to install in the satellite a
pulse-operating radio beacon with the same frequency and duration
for automatic tracking of the satellite in the celestial sphere.
In connection with the fact that the development of this
satellite was not completed in time, the program for the creation
of geodetic satellites was reviewed at the end of 1960, and in
view of its direct military significance, the responsibility for
its fulfillment was placed on the Department of Defense.
The operating principle of the "Secor" radio range-finding
system is based on the use-of the method of sequential comparison
of distances from four radio range-finding stations on earth to
the radio satellite located in an orbit, the parameters of which
are known. The component elements of the system will be: three
ground air-transportable stations, equipped with special radio-
ranging installations and located at points with known geodetic
coordinates; a ground station which will be located at a point
which can be tied in to a known geodetic net; and, a satellite with
:"the transmitting-receiving radio apparatus.
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The "Secor" system is to provide a range of operation
(measurement of distance between' points) of up to 16,000 km
and operate on a frequency band of 482 to 512 megacycles.
Ground transmitters are calculated for an emission power
of 500 watts at a frequency of 512 megacycles. The ground
receiving stations will operate on frequencies of 482 megacycles.
Experiments with the "Secor" equipment are being carried
on simultaneously with launchings of "Transit" radio-naviga-
tional satellites, on which the appropriate testing apparatus
has been installed.
The Americans propose.to create portable units of ground
apparatus which can be transported, as well as a unit of minia-
turized apparatus for the fourth of the stations, which is in-
tended for secret installation in the area of the target and
which must be tied in to the other three stations. Such an
apparatus can be thrown from a plane in the areas of the tar-
gets which are to be tied in.
The expected accuracy of distance measurement by such a
system is about 0,5 meters.
A number of major American firms and the Weapons Systems
Development Command are conducting planning work on a broad
front for the creation of offensive space bombing systems
designed to destroy ground targets from space. It is considered
possible to create such systems only after 1970.
It is proposed that automatic carrier-satellites and piloted
space carrier-bombers will be included in this system.
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Carrier-satellites for nuclear/missile weapons are being
studied and designed under the general program, NABS. At pre-
sent three projects under this program are known.
The first project, PCB, envisages the creation of carrier-
satellites for "space-to-surface" type missiles for the destruc-
tion of ground targets.
It is proposed that three-ton carrier-satellites will be
placed in an orbit 185 km high, with an orbital period of
90 minutes. At this flight altitude, the carrier-satellite
will be within the limits of direct visibility from ground con-
trol stations for 18 minutes, from where commands can be issued
for launching "space-to-surface" missiles. Depending on the
size of the angle of direction of the launch in relation to the
tangent to the orbit, it is considered possible to destroy tar-
gets at distances of from 9,000 to 30,000 km from the launch point.
The weight of such a missile with a nuclear warhead can exceed one
ton.
The second project, SLOB, envisages the creation of bomber-
satellites for bombing ground targets with nuclear charges. It
is proposed that such bomber-satellites will be placed in what1
by American definition are considered low orbits, at an altitude
of up to 36,000 km, i.e. up to stationary, 24-hour orbits.
The third project, SHAOB, envisages the creation of bomber
satellites for the destruction of ground targets with nuclear
warheads from altitudes exceeding 36,000 km.
Piloted space carrier-bombers for nuclear/missile weapons
are being s u ed an esigne un er the general program, "BOSS-IOC'.'
This program includes two basic projects: "Dyna-Soar"and "BOSS-?10C''
It envisages a feasibility study'on the creation of non-combat
space systems, of piloted combat systems, as well as of systems
for support of the conduct of combat operations in space.
The "Dyna-Soar" project envisages the creation of experimental
piloted glide or orbiting bombers "Dyna-Soar-l", which have a cal-
culated flight range of 40,000 km when brought to a height of about
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160 km by the modernized "Titan-2" carrier-missile. This experi-
mental glide bomber,with a crew of two men and a flight weight of
6.8 tons, will subsequently, according to American opinion, be the
basis for the development of the piloted orbiting bombers, "Dynan
Soar-2", "Dyna-Soar-3" and "Dyna-Soar-Mouse", which will. be man-
euverable space vessels weighing 6.8 to 10 tons.
In turn, on the basis of any of these, the Americans expect
to create a space bombing weapons system for the destruction of
ground targets with nuclear/ missile weapons. Experimental gliders
are already being created under the "Dyna-Soar-1" project at the
present time. Later on, in 1964 and 1965, it is proposed that
test and practical models will be built for flights in space with
a crew on board. It is planned to carry out 24 flights over a
period of 15 years, using "Titan 2" and "Saturn" missiles. Flights
of "Dyna-Soar-2" have not yet been planned under this project, but
"Saturn" carrier-missiles will be used to carry them out.
It is also known that the U.S. Air Force proposes, on the basis
of the "Dyna-Soar" project, to create a maneuverable space recon-
naissance vehicle with a crew of three men for the reconnaissance
of ground targets, for the design of which a competition has been
announced. According to the U.S. Air Force tactical-technical re-
quirements, the reconnaissance vehicle must be placed in polar or-
bits at an altitude of about 400 km,iicith the capability of maneuver-
ing to lower orbits of 160 km for detailed reconnaissance of ground
targets. It is envisaged that optical, photographic, television
and radar apparatus will be used as reconnaissance equipment.
It is considered advisable to process the intelligence data on
board the vessels and transmit it to earth. The task of creating
such reconnaissance means is to be performed by 1966.
The "BOSS-10C" project envisages a study of the feasibility
of creating bombing systems to operate at altitudes of about
36,000 km. It is divided in turn into two sub-projects with the
designations P-79821 and P-79822.
The sub-project P-79821 envisages a study of the feasibility
of creating piloted and automatic armed or reconnaissance space
systems. Three versions, which have been designated A, B and E,
are being studied. They will use ballistic or glide re-entry
into the atmosphere and are destined for operation at altitudes
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of less than 1600 km. The designing of bombing weapons systems
suitable in practice for operations at the indicated range of
altitudes is being proposed on the basis of more realistic
and longterm research.
The sub-project P-79822 envisages a study of the feasi-
bility of creating piloted and automatic armed or reconnais-
sance space systems for the conduct of combat operations in
the altitude range of 1,600 to 36,000 km. Two versions,
designated C and D, are being studied using ballistic or glide
re-entry into the atmosphere. The practical design of a final
version of the "BOSS-10C" piloted bombing system for the conduct
of combat operations in the altitude range of 1,600 to 36,000 km
is proposed on the basis of one of the more realistic versions.
It should be noted that all the projects for space bombing
systems are in the very initial stage of study and research, with
the exception of "Dyna-Soar", but certain of them are already
being financed by the Government.
The development by the Americans of military technical
means of combat in space shows that the imperialists are using
technical progress mainly for military purposes and are prepar-
ing to turn space into an arena for destructive war.
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