Space Forces (Russia)

Space Forces (Russia). The Space Forces are a branch of the Russian Aerospace Forces responsible for military space operations, ballistic missile early warning, space surveillance, and the management of the Russian constellation of navigation satellites. Established in its modern form in 2015, it traces its lineage to the Soviet Space Forces of the Soviet Armed Forces and is a key component of Russia's national defense and information warfare capabilities. Its primary installations include the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, the Main Centre for Missile Attack Warning, and the Main Space Intelligence Centre.

History

The origins of the force lie in the Strategic Missile Forces of the Soviet Union, which managed early military space activities. The independent Soviet Space Forces were first created in 1982. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation maintained these capabilities, formally establishing the Space Forces as a separate branch of the Russian Armed Forces in 2001 under President Vladimir Putin. In 2011, the force was merged into the Air Force, becoming the Aerospace Defence Forces. A major reorganization in 2015, following the creation of the Russian Aerospace Forces by order of the Ministry of Defence (Russia), saw the Space Forces re-established as a distinct branch within this new service, reflecting the growing importance of the space domain in modern warfare.

Organization

The Space Forces are organized into several main directorates and divisions. The 15th Army of the Aerospace Forces (Special Purpose) serves as the primary operational command, headquartered in Moscow. Key subordinate components include the Main Centre for Missile Attack Warning near Solnechnogorsk, which operates a network of early-warning radars like the Voronezh (radar) and space-based sensors. The Main Space Intelligence Centre, also known as Titov Main Test and Space Systems Control Centre, tracks objects in orbit. Launch operations are conducted primarily from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Arkhangelsk Oblast, with support from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and the Vostochny Cosmodrome. The force also commands the Russian constellation of navigation satellites, including the GLONASS system.

Equipment and capabilities

The Space Forces operate a wide array of specialized military and dual-use systems. For space situational awareness, it utilizes networks of ground-based optical and radar sensors, such as the Krona space surveillance system and the Okno (space surveillance) complex in Tajikistan. Its Missile warning system relies on the Oko and Kupol series of early-warning satellites and the aforementioned Voronezh (radar) stations. Launch capabilities are centered on rockets like the Soyuz-2, Angara (rocket family), and Rokot. The force controls military communication satellites such as those in the Raduga (satellite) and Strela (satellite) series, and electronic intelligence satellites like Liana (satellite system). It is also developing anti-satellite capabilities, having tested systems like the PL-19 Nudol.

Missions and operations

Core missions include continuous Space domain awareness and maintaining the catalog of space objects, providing critical data for potential Anti-satellite weapon engagements. The force ensures the functioning of the GLONASS navigation constellation, which is vital for the precision of Russian Ground Forces and Russian Aerospace Forces strike assets. A paramount duty is the around-the-clock ballistic missile early warning for the National Defense Management Center, guarding against attacks from potential adversaries like the United States or China. The Space Forces also manage all military satellite launches from Plesetsk Cosmodrome and oversee the command and control of Russia’s fleet of military satellites, supporting operations during conflicts such as the Russian military intervention in Syria and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Commanders

Since its re-establishment in 2015, the Space Forces have been commanded by Colonel General Alexander Golovko, who previously served as chief of staff of the Aerospace Defence Forces. Notable previous commanders of its predecessor formations include Colonel General Vladimir Popovkin, who led the force from 2001 to 2008 and later served as Deputy Minister of Defence, and Colonel General Oleg Ostapenko, commander from 2008 to 2011 who later headed the Russian Federal Space Agency. The commander of the Space Forces reports directly to the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces, such as Sergey Surovikin and later Viktor Afzalov.

Category:Military units and formations of Russia Category:Space forces