Russian Space Forces

Russian Space Forces. The Space Forces are a branch of the Russian Aerospace Forces, responsible for military space operations, missile attack warning, and the control of the Russian orbital satellite constellation. Tracing their lineage to the Soviet Space Forces of the Soviet Armed Forces, they were established in their modern form in 2001, absorbed into the Russian Air Force in 2011, and later re-established as a distinct service within the Aerospace Forces in 2015. Their primary missions include space surveillance, ballistic missile defense, and ensuring the combat stability of Russia's military satellites.

History

The origins of the Space Forces lie in the Strategic Missile Forces of the Soviet Union, which first established a central directorate for space assets in 1955. Key early figures like Sergei Korolev and Mikhail Tikhonravov developed the first military satellites, with the Sputnik 1 launch in 1957 marking the dawn of the space age. The Kosmos program became a primary vehicle for Soviet military space missions. A distinct Soviet Space Forces command was created in 1982. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation formed its own Military Space Forces in 1992. After a period of reorganization, they were officially re-established as the Space Forces by a decree from President Vladimir Putin in 2001. In 2011, they were merged into the Russian Air Force, only to be resurrected as a branch of the newly created Russian Aerospace Forces in 2015, a move influenced by the growing militarization of space and developments like the United States Space Force.

Organization and structure

The Space Forces are headquartered in Moscow and are commanded by a Colonel General, currently Alexander Golovko. They are organized into several main divisions. The Space Missile Defense Army is responsible for the missile attack warning system and ballistic missile defense, operating radars like the Voronezh and the Don-2N radar at Pushkino. The Main Space Intelligence Centre controls the military satellite constellation and conducts space surveillance from facilities such as the Krona space object recognition station. The 1st State Test Cosmodrome at Plesetsk Cosmodrome is the primary military launch site, while the 15th Army of the Aerospace Forces (Special Purpose) manages all orbital assets. Key testing and development is conducted at the Titov Main Test and Space Systems Control Centre and the 4th State Central Interspecific Polygon at Kapustin Yar.

Missions and responsibilities

The core missions of the Space Forces are defined by the Russian military doctrine. Primary among these is space surveillance and space situation awareness, tracking objects in orbit to support national security. They operate the Russian missile warning system, providing early warning of launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles from systems like the OKO and Kupol satellite constellations. The forces are also tasked with ballistic missile defense, protecting Moscow with the A-135 anti-ballistic missile system. Furthermore, they ensure the launch, control, and combat stability of military satellites for reconnaissance, communications (like the Rodnik system), and navigation (supporting GLONASS). They also counter potential threats to Russian space assets, a domain increasingly highlighted in strategies addressing space warfare.

Equipment and capabilities

The Space Forces operate a diverse array of ground- and space-based systems. For satellite launches, they primarily use the Soyuz-2, Angara, and Rokot rockets from Plesetsk Cosmodrome. Their missile warning network combines terrestrial radars, such as the Voronezh and Daryal radars, with satellite systems like Kupol. For space surveillance, they utilize the Krona space object recognition station and the Okno complex in Tajikistan. The A-135 anti-ballistic missile system around Moscow employs 53T6 interceptors. Their military satellite fleet includes Bars-M and Persona optical reconnaissance satellites, Lotos-S electronic intelligence satellites, and communications satellites such as Meridian and Raduga. Development continues on new systems, including the S-500 missile system with anti-satellite capabilities.

Commanders

The Space Forces have been led by several notable officers since their 2001 establishment. The first commander was Colonel General Anatoly Perminov, who later led the Russian Federal Space Agency. He was succeeded by Colonel General Vladimir Popovkin, who subsequently became the Deputy Minister of Defence. Colonel General Oleg Ostapenko commanded the forces from 2008 to 2011 before becoming the head of the Russian Federal Space Agency. Following the 2015 re-establishment, Colonel General Alexander Golovko was appointed commander and has remained in the post, overseeing the forces' integration into the Russian Aerospace Forces and their ongoing modernization efforts.

Category:Space forces Category:Russian Aerospace Forces Category:Military units and formations established in 1992