SOVIET CAPABILITIES IN GEODESY THROUGH 1967

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP60-00346R000200040022-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: November 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 13, 1998
• Sequence Number: 22
• Publication Date: October 18, 1957
• Content Type: REPORT

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G/Ia23a
18 October 1957
SOVIET GAPA$I TIES IN GEODES THROUGH . 7
A. Conclusions and Story
Geodetic operations within the USSR are jointly planned and controlled
by two organizations - one civil (GUGK) and one military (VTU) - which
have cosple substructures scattered throughout the country. In the past,,
geodetic educational inastitutiona .ham turned out an abundant steer of
engineers and' theoreticians, . and today the USSR has no lack of con tent
geodetic personnel capable of carrying on all essential tasks., First-
oder hori.sonta control covers at least two-thirds of the area of the
country, The Soviets claim to have the potential capability for aiding
over 10. ,000 standard control; atations per yew.. In 19282-45, the
horizontal not was readjusted to the now asovskiy ellipsoid; currently
the not is again undergoing readjustment, partly because of the conversion
of the European satellite nets to the Soviet date The Soviets havea
strong interest in establishing connections be Wean their datum and both
the European Datum and the North Aneri can Dater,, It is believed that
the requirements of the ICBM program for accurate positioning between
widely ' separa d points on the earth's s face has given great tuss to
the oreti , g assy and graviiuetry, The Soviets will undoubtedly
exploit the artificial earth satellite for geodetic purposes in order
to gain more precise knowledge of the. parameters of the earth' a size and
shape. They are not likely to change their policy of s ithholding es-
sential., geodetic data and topographic maps from the rest of the world
long as present political tensions continue.
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Bo. Organization. Planni
Basic: .arveying? and mapping of the country at large is centralized
in the Chief Adrnnistratioi of Geodesy and Cartography (co on?y referred
to as GUGK, abbreviated from tote Russian form of its name), which works
in concert with the Military Topographic Administration (VTU) of the
Aiy General Staff and probably also with the Hydrographic Administration.
Other surveying aid marring ttnlt?a function as parts of i xdividual
ministries, administrations, or trusts; but all are: subject to the
centralized plane., programs, specifications., and supervision worked
out Jointly by GUGK and VTU.
GUGK is a, closely integrated urgar .zation Including,, in addition.
to the conventional technical and adra1nistrat'ive units, many
functional divisions. One policy making body, the Collegliim, , reviews
the research activities of the organization and formulates Its.research
programsa Another, the Council,, coordinates the activities of the
various government organizations (including the Military) engaged in
'c6r?tographi,c.. and geodetic work. Among the divisions of GUGK are a central
archives for the custody of all data; a unit that publishes geodetic
and car ogrephie literature; a certra1 research institute; and a factory
for the production of geodetic an(., other napping instruments. GUGK also
maintains 12 aerial -photographic and geodetic ea abiishments and 12
cartographic plants for the analysis., compilation, and printing of
topographic snaps..
The organization of VTU also includes many different
divisions--a production service (VTS); a faculty for advanced geodesy
at the Engineering Academy; as scientific research institute; an
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instrment production plant; 12 topographic units; 7 geodetic units;
3 aerial ahotographic units; 12 geodetic and cartographic units; and
a field training and testing camp.
C : ent and AdequV4 tof Present and Future Research Facilities
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Research in geodesy and cartography is carried out, in many
i*jtitutions throughout the USSR. In the past 10 yearn., great impetus
his been given to geodetic research by problems- arising; in connection
with (1) the appli' tion of aerial. photography to crapping,, (2) the
testing of new electronic surveying methods, and (3) the anticipated
geodetic rains to be derived through the use of artificial earth
satellites. The Central Scientific Research Institute of Geodesy,
Aerial Surveying and Cartography (TsNIIGAiK ), located in Noecow, ~ is a
huge complex organization devoted to all phases of geodetic research.
The Soviet Academy of Sciences also has research institutes scattered
throughout the USER, the greatest cone etuGrat7.ons of which are. around
Moscow and Leningrad. Recent reports indicate that a special Institute
of 1?1atheinatics (under the Academy of Sciences) has been established in
Moscow and'"' . doing all the theore,Li ca.J. yrcrk connected with the orbits
of artificial earth satellitesm The Soviets are quick to create nr-
institutes for work on specific. prots.j_erms that do not fit into the
existing organization. Current research raciliities in geodesy appear
to be entirely adequate to handle the heavy load of further
read justinent of existing control, Yong with the many new asi ro.geodetic;
investigations occasioned by the orbitting of an artificial earth
satellite.
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?ua7 ity~ 4 ua.raf;rtt x r_txd Effective-, Uti-lI.za ;:a.on of M aipowe.
Soviet geodesy today engages a vast number of Taorkers (estimated
at 155000 to 20, ) representing all levels of training and
experience from field work through abstract theoretical research.
During the past 140 years.. strong govea?, rient support, has attracted
many young people to geodesy as a life profession. Tb xceptional ; tudeixts
are givers special encourage, en.. and inducement to develop their
capabilities to the utmost. The number of women performing laboratory
tasks and. even surve,ring in the field is surprisingly urge. The
established training _vystear appears to be providing sufficient
znipover to meet the current need for geodesists since high--ieve?
Soviet sources have i..t di.catec' that there is no lads of competent
geodetic p:,r conr_el in the USSR today. Soviet theoreticians working
on the .figs. re of the enr`bh and on. ravi n tra c problems are recognized
throughout the world ?ae being among the topmost authorities in their
profession. in no othexr ns.t A.on does there sew ?to be such avid interest
in advancing geodetic and greork-Lationai theory to.z eet the cha11 nge
of determining still more pa eci ely the, values oZ' 'tae par'arymet ers
.thich relate to the size and shape of the earth.
Soviet Ob_tect1vb'v n M A'or Ac:r~ 7 evth rs ' rend ~ e _` IISIIr,, re
The Soviets are currently cxt.e din g _ ILAr3t-order horizontal
control from the ma.ilna easttctwes1 riot, in the southern pw-i- of Siberia.
northward along the pra.r ipal river vaj.1Ays to uxre Arctic. The
ultimate objective is ccuplete caverage of the USSR. More than
t" a thi ?de of the wcoa of the USSR In now provided -alt h
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i s .'order control and standard tri x ,atio ?t',atione (first- and
second-order)- now ntmber more than 320,000. Cvnlrol in the remaining
uansurveyed part of Siberia can be established at any tin within the
next 10 years as the need for it arises. The Soviets claim to have the
instr ur nts and manpower required to add more than 10,000 new
triangulation stations per year. As it now stands the Soviet net is the
most recent and one of the largest of the world! s principal horizontal
control, Hats. It represents a major theoretical and practical geodetic
achievement., accomplished wry largely within the last 10 years. Soviet
horizontal control. was readjusted in 1942..5 and rra.s referenced to the
new x`raso,*skiy ellipsoid by a new projection method for the transfer
of points from the_ earth! s surface to the ellipsoid. Relative
positioning accuracy between widely separated points is estimated at
1:10O,O00. Another general readjustment of first order control is appare-ntly now in progress and should be completed within a year or two.
2. Krasovski. IIMaid
The Kraaovskiy ellipsoids adopted for the Soviet Union in 19146,
fits the vast area of the USSR much better than the Bessel ellipsoid,,
iihich was abandoned. The calculation of the now ellipsoid was
accompl shed by the Soviet before World '?T x7 n, They had e: ined the
question of the earth e s triaxiality and iecid . that the biaxial
ellipsoid approxinsted the geoid closely enough for practical purpose,,.
The Soviets ar?c keeping a very watchful eye upon all geodetic work
elsewhere in the world that night contribute to a refinement in the
values for the earth's semi-major axis and flattening. In tale years
i ediately dead., the range of uncertainty connected with those values
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-should be narrowed, A variety, of new celestial methad which are now
;eb.tae will provide the geodesist rlt 63 oert wears of approach
probiara. The Soviets, howt erp. arparently he ee no sp 'c:f ":].
varita ge over the Wort in. the application of celestial ethods to "'he
erniaration of a better "best fitting elipav .d. "
C org poi Nets. of European Satellites
The integration of the geodctic nrYos of the Duropean Satellites
,-.t;h the geodetic system of the USSRR has been in progress since 1952.
C on piste integration by 3-9.59-60 is a rua..
or Soviet objective,. ;:cast of the
.'We a.d work had already been done. The whole Sot ie Bloc f n. H 4 eapc t il.I
'_us h referenced to a s i ngie geodetic -datum with h initial o ?' `t, at
h Ikovo in the USS io This cormersion to _-, unified sy e i l , v --introduced
i..a in the geodetic coord3i .tce of ac;ntrol. points throughout
e e l..te areas,. Maps that follow Soviet cartographic stand ed ; cad
b& .,c~i on the new coordiniates are now being prepared, Fcx
r East Me topographic series at 1:25,O0is almost; eao i ;ed. s ithougII
e x aee?sion to the het geodetic sys,L ,erra satisfies the ~~ di c to need
_? n- riterrupted large-scale map coverage of the European Bloc arena., a
C z =r,2 o more rigorous mathematical readilistar:ent of the' SOV02,C)c
-:a'-?g ever :,ontrsol. is definitely planned and pr obaV; y will be carried
.x4 during the next, 10 trear'd b
Lama Aon ?ritto the Euro se Pate
a--ii the cst blishie of a sin? 'Le datu3. for :ovhIoc areas
In eastern iir?ope, the Tray became clear for a oS blc *~?F7& t e co a.ee2E,C tion
;. .Fri sae recently readj teed European l) tua;ii wee,; of the, iron Curtain,
l a ~; e ~. p ;e od 3 sty are thoroughly f i'l.ar vdth -',be readjust-mm"':, of the
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'European Datum that has been carried out by US and treat German geodesists.
The new European Dattrnt has been generally accepted by. the countries
involved, although it is realized that there are compromising inaccuracies
in some of the older triangulation nets. Uestern Europe now has a
unified geodetic system to which the Soviets can make a theoretical tie.
We believe that a major objective of the Soviets is the resolving of the
differences between the two datums in order to obtain relative geodetic
positions of far--removed points on both sides of the Iron Curtain.
The geodetic positioning accuracy required for the loanching of
intermediate- aid long-range missiles to all parts of Eurol a can be
secured only after a connection is made between the two datums.
5. Bert Strait Connection
For many years, the Soviets have dreamed of a connection
between the Soviet and North American datums across the Bering Strait.
It seems probable that the Soviets already have made a preliminary
connection by aerial photography, or they may covertly have made direct
observations. ~~~~~~~Wndicated that
by about 1960 the Soviets would be interested in making the connection
jointly with the United States. A tie across the strait would improve
the relative positioning accuracy of Soviet launchings against US targets.
Any joint USS1JSSf operation to make the Bering Strait geodetic connection
would be distinctly to the advantage to the USSR unless an agreement
is made for the exchange of the first-order control data covering areas
extending several hundred miles on either side of the strait. are
consider Soviet, interest in the Bering Strait connection an indication
Sovi
firat--'order control now extends to the strait or will within a
that/
few years.
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..`C' c.t al eartkA satellite spa :. 'a~ 3 la d ed f -oom the
CIS,, on October 19V was the first o.:
axle.f a do,
Z.h saatel .tea
9h.: rthe So s g w:. ,' attcwu t to launch for s ciei tifi~ p~: poses during
?z 9 A ~ ` S a s ~ " ' ? : ' m ' ? L~i.?J ...5 G Qby ica Year. So Carp the 3av ic'- l i ve not
v erre 1 hd the nature of Pny gravity ex):c: S e is to do ten air ctly the
v ,::~viati_on s in iha earth l s exterior gravity field, that they might ?attenipt
h r ~ a ~ rr the r : , : . a of a satellite. They are confident h vver3 that the
t.ti rrth ~;. tellite will eventually aovide a weans of Bete zi ng the gravity
a r F~:; z and .fratte .ng of V,e earth. We beUe : 1,. t the study of
date,, 1ite orbits -AU-, indeed., eventually lead to geodetic gains
. n~; ri n ;tee ear .h ' s gravity field., At, pre sort the prob:.e seems to
bw . ro "s c first., the satellite mist be established in a nearly
' e
circ.;uia :' o 'bih-preferably several thousand miles above the earth
ssur9i`'ace d u cu be trackable by optical or other rffaar m; second, ma
ccura e, da t ninatio:ns of the ;,at sl ,i.ta4 s position ant be made from
6a.C'_4.onc. all over the ear ,h so thit a precise orbit o-er a oeiect
Period of time can be comTiated? It is f om the anaLyd s of the precif3e?y
c+ =rrthx d orbit that local. gravity anon .es and the earth7n- flattening
can be ,b~?,ained. The critical operation i.-, the ti in - anr` accuracy of
a ob r rrtti.ori of the ?sate .l1te?s position. Since Sovivll. c; 0se'vat'tonsy
a i wnp are lin .ted to a network of - ation , itbin the
"ins oviet Bloc $ the S o viet would have to rely upon obser ati one
f ;r ~aa ,_ c a~a chiefly from -,-he United States ae t throughout the word.
?_v e believe that i prove sre at in t v w reP.Lativ i dionia of 'm he
f
.'?. a ~;ca..At: nefr ho o _ c;or~ ~a , n o the worlds Wtll lfr on
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of ? eode tie g to bet ri xc'~d from r h ateo .t e ' .-
be a a: ish(id by simu .t rieo a obo At ?ont? of the P'; j.it. fro
?CY'1+
.+. -~_e ?; a: :, ra w Deepite U, ~uec. Sov raluct
~
a t e i n t , plwnv) ~ g of earth Sat llite pb. b or geo . AC r ~ ~ a x
SS}L w ll derive no
e r 2oodcb .mac gem that, t
` ssx ls> emv h t x',`ioe?i,...:Yse m. is d3'ar.?.r'a the m- 10 - :Caen
Qdmn
M. is hem o f geodetic - o g r e & i in Co i ni Ch nay .e d
gmLjmmat from the USSR a Bast rang has neon sent into the tree..
?a'Vin o:a the u el op m ens of u ? ",11M, and level. Undoubt? d
fashioned alter the Sm ?iet pattem. will be developed
w vw- :utall: re t in de able geodetic control lbr Chi : . Th.
; a r i e t d a t x ill in time embrace the greater pmt of the Asl acyA,
FIe i.c pereo a be be ch ff cd b&yyeen Cory,
.t.3SR and, the o1e letic operation in C14-ma is probably m-Aer o
c .Thh; 4ik by trap Soviet gecdeeiit e The Soviets have -m s
t o ion to considerable depth inside Gem& in
~a:A,ta~:eya~oa o'r ofe ar
'border,,
. eny other oo y, the Soviet Union ? e the
k re de xr, ggr .ty courage of the co?atry to o'ddo deflection
end idal heights V x est bl it A o .f' horisontai ecnty s .a
t in placed upon etet.Ui by o methocd t%
: rite
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of the de .eetion angle at the initial P01a. The program calling for
i gravity obE a at-I n per 1,000 equ e k ,lo titers, or a total Of W "M
than 20,000 observations the USSR., has long been eo 1 t - vity
c of the Soviet, Unions therefore,. is worm and a: p ete-
`l oueand of obawr 4cmi have so been nade at, a with pendulwa ape'
ran i'A to a of the Venice Neinea type. Gravity analysis a .des one method
o}? dete m.i ing the l atten ing, of the earth, provided rep a atative
data f'r all over the atimh are avallable. The Soviets are e g
g vit data where sr obse atia are awn to have been made. Soviet
political? l dip h yor, regard gravity data to having rid l itm
g1go-Afioan ce. Co .equently, Soviet. scientists who inditiduaUy favor
an xcha e o such data m: th the. Weet are mxpletely ov ti i t , and no
a axe release outside the USSR.
b seem a pro"oablo that within a f are2' o od* now der de -
velo ; o will faci ,tate gnieker and more accurate deter-minatione of
~Vity at sea. The Sovi.bta are known to v rag on app tus for
a c x x,. 7a ?a to and they also are considering 'a ae ;sib . ty of
enaiw gravity In a . i ee4. The variation of gravity vmith altitude
t be abate in conjunction with the flight of long-range ' ' ietic
-
i-Msi.IPs.' The Soviets have w-de ua gravity da aatior through
cut the A: tic. area and at present are Including gravity Vrasurmlients
.t s e ?t l IGY oh m.!iw ado taken In Antarctica.
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TOGtO
Stet geodosi ,s have studied the use of e1 ?tav--opt a.
a app ,t ;Coe diel awo measurer-ant in dhacking thee sides of the
horizont91 eoi'brol note Their trod of a _odu .ting light w mu by
parallel K e r r C i c fors is AmU ar to that eip1o by the
Bargst Faara g odiieter, but they have made some od is atioo? which
peceivit mea.; a wn'ws to be taken in the 'brierrLness of day. In 195.43
Sovi. vos . on the i .oeity of light in v c 7ield a vvlua of
X99.o793n9 ? 100 W860, which is o t 10 ; /o higher thm
the avere-.90 of sctra 1 recent det4rndn, ,ions by western observe ?go
1,70 tbeliwiv that the
eaj% i ediateiy ahead., the Soviets w M
r e to tile utwgt the d v 1o n t . of o1 t ; c and opia i a.
par t i for distance ureae a as n 0*03. -ial 014-i ry to a7W
prosent
11 jor read ju ent Of theirl-first-order not,,
10- ISOVICt PoAio7- Of Withholding Geodetic Data
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