Various space weapons under development by the Russians(Soviet Union)
Posted on 05/26/2010 11:04:32 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
In late 1960s- early 1970s the United States began works on studying of feasibility of using the outer space for performing combat activities in space and from space. The Government of the USSR by a set of Decrees (first one issued in 1976) assigned domestic activities in this field to a group of organizations-developers led by Energia NPO.
During 1970s - 1980s the complex of research was performed to determine possible ways of creation of space means, capable of solving tasks of striking spacecraft of military destination, ballistic missiles in flight, as well as particularly important airborne, sea-borne and ground-based targets. The task was set so as to achieve necessary performances of the abovementioned means using available by that time scientific and technological backlog with a perspective of development of that means under limitation of production capacities and financing. [In other words, to do what is required with available technology and within available production capability and financial resources - MT]
Two combat spacecraft for striking of military objects were developed, using the same basic design, but equipped with different types of on-board weapons complexes - laser and missile [weapons]. The universal service module, developed on the basis of the structure, service systems and aggregates of the orbital station of the DOS-7K series was the basis for both spacecraft.
Unlike the station, the service module should have had significantly more spacious fuel tanks of the engine instalation for provision of maneuvering in orbit.
(Excerpt) Read more at fas.org ...
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