The Russian satellite destroyer known as 'Istrebitel Sputnikov' (IS).
Carrying an explosive charge, it would be guided on an intercept course towards
enemy satellites.
America's ability to gather intelligence on Soviet
developments was severely limited during the early post-war years and the only
methods of aerial observation available were large numbers of camera-equipped
balloons and specialised spyplanes. The balloons were uncontrollable,
unreliable and generated serious diplomatic problems, while the high-altitude
reconnaissance flights ended on 1st May 1960 when a Lockheed U-2 was shot down
and the pilot captured. There was now intense pressure on US defence
contractors to provide the USAF and CIA with a reconnaissance satellite system,
and there was an equal determination within the Soviet Union to counter US
satellite observation of its activities. Vladimir Chelomei is generally
credited within Russia as being the first designer to suggest the idea of an
anti-satellite system using another small space vehicle carrying an explosive
charge. His initial proposal for an Istrebitel Sputnikov (IS - Destroyer of
Satellites) was made in 1959. This small vehicle would be directed towards the
target from the ground before it switched to its own terminal guidance system.
In early 1960 Khrushchev approved development of the UR-200
ballistic missile which Chelomei had suggested as the launcher for his IS
satellite destroyer, and a decision to proceed with the IS was approved in
early 1961. This project was assigned to Anatoly Savin and his deputy K. A.
Vlasko-Vlasov, who ran a group within OKB-52 called KB-1. Much of the work on
the IS appears to have been compartmentalised and classified as top secret. As
the first prototypes neared completion in 1963, there were still problems with
developing the UR-200 and a formal request was made via official channels to
secure the use of R-7 launch vehicles for testing. The first two prototype test
vehicles, named Polet (Flight), were launched on 1st November 1963 and 12th
April 1964. Both lacked radar and infrared homing systems but successfully
demonstrated orbital manoeuvring capabilities. But the UR-200 missile intended
to launch IS still proved very troublesome and after the second test it was
cancelled. However, the Ministry of Defence was sufficiently impressed with IS
to recommend that the launch vehicle should be replaced by an R-36 missile
(SS-9 NATO Scarp) then under development by OKB-586. This resulted in OKB-586
receiving a formal request in August 1965 to develop a suitable version of the
R-36 as an IS launcher, and the new slightly modified design was designated
11K67 (and later Tsyklon-2A).
The test launch of this rocket carrying the third prototype
IS vehicle took place at Baikonur on 27th October 1967 and was judged to have
been a success. Named Cosmos- 185, the IS spacecraft initially entered a 339 x
229 mile (546 x 370km) orbit with a 64.1° inclination, which was later boosted
to a 550 x 324 mile (888 x 522km) orbit. During April 1968 another IS vehicle
was launched at Baikonur as Cosmos-217, although something went wrong with this
test and the IS failed to separate from the upper stage. Six months later
Cosmos-248 was launched into orbit at Baikonur as a large target satellite for
a fullscale test of the IS vehicle's capability. Within a matter of hours
Cosmos-249 had been launched which was a fully equipped IS vehicle. Cosmos-249
attained a 157 x 84 mile (254 x 136km) orbit and manoeuvred to pass within
close proximity of Cosmos-248. A small explosive charge was then detonated to
demonstrate the system, although the target vehicle is thought to have remained
largely undamaged.
Less than two weeks later another IS vehicle designated
Cosmos-252 was launched and successfully intercepted Cosmos-248. The spacecraft
exploded within close proximity of the satellite and it was completely
destroyed. Although the IS system was still in its early test phase, it seems
reasonable to conclude that these trials were considered very successful.
Further launches took place during 1969 and 1970 with the orbital apogees of
the vehicles increasing to more than 1,242 miles (2,000km) before descent to
the target. During 1971 several target satellites designated DS-P1-M were
launched from Plesetsk and ASAT trials continued until 1972 when SALT 1 was
signed. However, it seems that the Soviet anti-satellite system was considered
semi-operational by this time.
Tests resumed in 1976, possibly as a response to military
proposals for the US Shuttle which the Soviets perceived as an offensive
weapon. It was also clear that the capability and accuracy of the IS system
continued to improve. Development of this programme proceeded rather
erratically until 1983 when Chairman Yuri Andropov decided to halt further ASAT
trials for political reasons. Although ASAT research continued and the Polyus
orbital platform was built and unsuccessfully launched in 1987, no further
tests were undertaken. Just how far the US went with attempts to duplicate the
Soviet IS system remains unknown, but Project SAINT may have been conceived as
a direct response to IS.
