SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE REPORT~- THE SO~TIET SPACE RESEARCH PROGRAM MONOGRAPH II OBJECTIVES CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE approved fat Release r Date ) Scientific Intelligence Report THE SOVIET SP~,CE RESEARCH PROGRAM MONOGRAPH II OBJECTIVES 21 August 1959 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE ~~~- The objectives of the Soviet space research program have been obscured by frequent and variant Soviet statements, often by responsible officials. Nevertheless, the immediate and long- range dbjectives can be determined to a considerable degree by a review and evaluation of Soviet statements and activities re- lating to principal astronautical goals, the purposes of current space projects, and the political, military, and scientific aims of the USSR. In considering Soviet statements, the greatest weight must be given to those by officials and scientists who are in a position to know Soviet plans and who have proved to be fairly reliable spokesmen in the past. This monograph is based on information available to 15 May 1959 and is one of 12 monographs (listed below) on the Soviet space research program. Monographs II through XII are designed to support the conclusions found in Monograph I, which will be an overall evaluation of significant Soviet space research capabilities and will be published last. Monographs on the Soviet Space Research Program: I Estimate 1959-iq VII Telemetry, Communica- II Objectives III Organization, Planning, and Control bons, and ReconnaLS- sance Instrumentation VIII Ground Support Facili- ties IX Space Medicine X Space Biology and IV Space Vehicles Astrobiology V Propulsion System XI Astronomical Aspects XII Current Status of Prog- VI Guidance and Control ress Page . iii PREFACE SIJMMcS~i,Y AND CONCLUSIONS . 1 DZSCUSSiON 2 2 introduction 4 Principal Astronautical Objectives . 4 Manned Interplanetary Flight 4 Unmanned Controlled Vehicles 4 Interstellar Flight . 5 Current Space Project Objectives 5 Recovery Problem . ? Navigation, Communications, Guidance, Control, 5 Tracking, Data Handling, and Calculations ? Propellants and Sources of Power 6 Bio-lriedical Problems - 6 Space Environment Research . 7 Radiation Shielding 7 Lunar and Interplanetary Probes 7 Artificial Satellites ? 8 Overall National Objectives B Political Objectives 9 Military Objectives 1D Scientific Objectives Objectives Relating to Sino-Bloc Participation in the 11 Space Program 11 Communist China . 11 The European Bloc ? . lA APPENDIX A -Biographic Information lA I. The USSR . II. Other Bloc Countries and Communist 7A China. . APPENDIX B -Sino-Soviet Bloc Statements Relating to l0A the Space Program REFERENCES v 0-4.II ~~I THE SOVIET SPACE RESEARCH PROGRAM MONOGRAPH II OBJECTIVES The Soviets are fully aware that their pene- tration. of interplanetary space will present unique opportunities to advance their na- tional objectives, particularly those of a political, military, and scientific nature. at this stage of their conquest of space, they probably have not been able to formulate detailed plans along these lines, but there are indications that they intend to take full advantage of opportunities as they arise. Since there are many unknowns in space re- search. the Soviets will undoubtedly find it necessary to reexamine their space program from time to time. One of the objectives of the USSR space program which became apparent at an early date was the use of Soviet accomplishments for political propaganda purposes, especially in an attempt to convince the world of the superiority of the USSR and the Communist system and to intimidate the rest of the world by the missile capabilities implied by space successes. The Soviets have been cautious in speaking of the military objectives of their space pro- ;ram, but they have discussed them, and it is helieved that they will use space cehScles military communications, electronic counter- measures, navigation, and reconnaissance. The early Soviet space efforts, particularly Sputniks II and III, demonstrated a strong Soviet desire to advance basic science and to increase knowledge of the earth, the solar system, and the universe. In the fields of astronomy and geophysics, immediate Soviet objectives include greatly improved observa- tions by means of instrumented satellites and probes; fundamental physical experiments have also been planned. Much of the scien- tific interest appears to result from Soviet objectives to find methods of tapping new energy sources in space and e.~cploiting the natural resources of the moon and planets. Some of the immediate practical objectives of the scientific program in space include im- proved communications; weather observa- tions; geodetic measurements; sea-ice and polar surveys; high precision cartography; nuclear test detection, and the determination of environmental radiation hazards. The principal objective of the USSR in the field of astronautics is to place manned and unmanned controlled vehicles into inter- planat~ sY ce. :'or manned controlled ve- hides its projects concern: (a) the vehicle recovery problem; (b) space bio .medical prob- lems; (c) protection against radiation haz- ards; and (d) space environment research. For both manned and urunanned controlled vehicles, the Soviets are developing: (a) space navigation communications, guidance, con- trol, tracking, data handling, and calculating devices and procedures; (b) more powerful propellants and sources of power; (c) Lunar and interplanetary probes, with Venus and Mars as the most probable early planetary objectives; and (d) artificial satellites for sci- entific, communications, and reconnaissance purposes. The Soviets have indicated that some of their current projects will lead even- tually to the establishment of multi-purpose stations in space and on the moon and planets. The Soviets have discussed the problem of sending probes beyond the solar system into interstellar space, but there is no evidence that such a program is being seriously con- sidered at this time. ,Indications are that the Soviets intend to co?~tinue to use the resources of the entire Bloc area in space research and possibly to encourage some high-altitude-rocket sounding programs in other leading Bloc nations. Communist Chinese reports that they will launch research rockets and artificial earth satellites probably indicate that the Soviets are considering assisting in such a program for political and propaganda purposes. INTRODUCTION Events leading directly to the Soviet launching of Sputniks I, II, and III and the Ltinik,~biechta rocket are generally known. tiiuch less known, however, is the history of astronautics in Russia, which dates from the end of the nineteenth century, when I. V. liesc'nerskiy investigated theoretically the dynamics of bodies of variable mass and K. E. Tsalkovskiy began his work on the principles o' rocket flight.' = Although Tsiolkovs.~y is n~?~a'.ly credited by the Soviets as benng the fo:ader of scientific astronautics, several of i:~ contemporaries also made fundamental contributions.=' In 1929, Fa. I. Perelman, I. ?. Fortikov, and other followers of Tsio1- kavsiy founded a rocket organization known as GIRD (Group for the Study cf Reactiae i~fotion). Some of the papers produced by GIP.D indicated a high degree of technical competence in the various aspects of rocketry and space exploration.; Members of GIRD w?ho are still very active include I. A. 32erku- lov. Vu. A. Pobedonostsev, and Vii. K. Ti- kl cnravov. T::e Soviet Government is reported to have or;anized a rocket research program in 1934, on1~: lice years after Germany had done so.s The Soviets have supported an aggressive rocket research policy since 1945. They ap- propriated most of the German rocket fac- tories and test facilities and put several hun- dred German rocket e.~cperts to work for them in the USSR. Subsequent developments in- dicate that the Soviet effort has been more than an extension of the German program and that it is based upon independent think- ing and research.9 By 2 i November 1953, the Soviet program had advanced to such a point that A. N. ~Nesmeyanov, President of the Academy of Sciences, USSR, was able to make confidently the following public statement: "Science has reached a state when it is feasible to send a stratoplane to the moon, [and] to create an artificial satellite of the earth. .." Soviet interest in space flight was further emphasized by the action of the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences, USSR, on 24 Sep- tember 1954 in establishing the K. E. Tsiol- kovskiy Gold l~fedal for outstanding work in the field of interplanetary communications (travel), to be awarded every three years be- ginning with 1957.9 The name of the first winner of the award was withheld, probably fer security resons. ~~ ~em'oi . r-, . -~,dnto. ~~,-- .. ~idence v con- ::. =_._ end ~.ta, yentire olY yo :rain _ _ations.' y w-iji- earti Movie}s" ograrr. ressive. ey ap=- '_t I2C=. 1 huh- - . ~t'iLsT." its in- more ~Cf^am .iJ_ l 1~i Lrik - oQ ~m a- .-~.. S . r*+p n' 'ie.^,tl~ _~ %:a~ :erd a ate. an u: bier ium of Sep-- -:=~a1-: or~:~~ 'a11flnS trs. ~e- e: _fII'St oiribly :: C :'r :Xrl~erpla;tetai~~F,~?t~?nltniEatio{ls,;(IGIC) com- Uik~}ov.Central Aeroelut~i~o~ie: _iJSSR was ;lights f'v'r'apeacefui .~rp~s?es'~S;:~s charter :. `;~spiir, i_ P`~~tan~nii~b"vic~,~:Yrir1S^~$hlebtse- 'vibh, cand-$i~erni3iiona~1 A`~uii3tiEics Prize ._^Fnc~,~~i~ ~lg~a,e Ilse Basggts?~a~xounced the ._~f~'tn~ticln;,pf:~he_7xrteragen~;~pmmission for _ end ineers ; , L_ ; I. Sedov, a leading hydrody- " riarmcist,~'tras:naYned -chai3`maiij and M. K. _- J; `I'`~iiani?avow, Gzvho ~as earlp ~~ 1834'`designed an3 si4c2e'ssinlly fauncfie~a l'i'quid-propellant ' "`atmosp tteric~researclr rocite#S;`was"appointed vice ~' -Chaaman: ~ne~~ _ oPa~h~ `first tasks 'assignzd- ` t4 . _the-'group `'was=_ ~fi2~' _ _ creation ol.ar,`"~ufiaa`~atic Iaboratgiy, fort scientific re- ~satellitej-as the"first step in sblFing,the prob- ieins~ of i_rterplsnetary ?,travel." ' The work in she-field of astrbriauticsis`oh~a national scale. .The' ICIC acts _as ~a coordinat7na 'committee to' directrthe` activities ~d-f the garious insti- ..'>;Pe..V.S.- announcement:_oi _~9_,Tuly 1955 ~.~zat:ii- intended:_to-)aunch~.an:earth satellite dt~ti, g .~ne_ Ir.te;national _G~ophysical Year r ~~.-=81-=lee Q,much-speeslIatlon.corcern- ing So::et capabilities and plans in this field, but the Soviets refu.~ed t_o disclose their ir.- \t?ntio?is:a?~t^at #tm~:-~.a sYror`C`time'later on , -,?~_ yua~st;_ Sedov'`11~ZCI'~-bt'e~;,'Cb1;iPlence in ~.g;,That'L~~~'Sb~~iets rcere worti'-iilg~Dn a satel- _,, _,,.,~~~apit~Ye_Sdviet satellite program was con- ~~ y~r^.:ec~ on t~ September 1956 by Academician u~~B'al~irin~ c11aT;1tYati~:o:~LlleglGYc~iiational committee o~ t1te~:USSR,:dui~ing:8.,meeting of :, _tkae.-: ~o~titc; Speaaal~;de::~dnnes: 4~ophysical Ir~ernaeon?~:(~SQ~I1: _~.1~'c~It>~ta, Spain. 5ardin.;stgte4ie~hat;~l?a~aF~~$&~?~.ended to .- -!aUii;f3 s~s~llr(r_:for?~tipp2~~ixnos~heric-re- ? _. T search during 'the IGY, but he declined to outline the Soviet program or to disclose fur- ther detai1s.12 ~ ? In 1956, the Academy of Sciences, USSR, applied for membership in the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and was ac- cepted during the Seventh International As- tronautical Congress in Rome in September of that year. The Soviet's lone delegate, L. I. Sedov, was elected a- vice president, but more than a year passed before the USSR complied with the by-laws of the LAF and submitted a description of the- Academy's ICIC and a list of members.13 = ~ - In December '1956~the Soviets disclosed de- tails of the extent aid nature of their upper atmosphere -rocket research program. This came about when a delegation of 13 scientists, headed by Academician A. A. Blagonravov, attended the first International Congress on Rockets and Guided Missiles in Paris. Papers presented by S. M. Poloskov and B. A. Mirtoa revealed some unique features of Soviet upper- atmosphere research rockets, and the presen- tation by A. V. Pokrorskiy indicated an ex- tensive Soviet experimental aeromedicine pro- gram. Subsequent to the release of this in- formation, various articles appeared in Soviet newspapers and scientific journals supplying additional information on the Soviet rocket effort. Among the significant items was the Soviet admission that .rocket studies of the - atrrosphere had been conducted since about i9z7.i' is _ The Soviet rocket and satellite program for the IGY u,?as outlined in a general manner in June 1957 in a letter from I. P. Bardin to IGY headquarters (CSAGI), Brussels. The pro- gram indicated that_ the Soviets would fire 125 meteorological research rockets from three different geographical zones and would place into orbit an unspecified number of arti- ficial earth satellites.~d On 1 June 1957, Nesmeyanov was quoted in the Soviet press as saying that the neces- sary equipment and apparatus had been cre- ated to solve the problem of artificial earth satellites.' A week later, Nesmeyanov stated, "Soon, literally within the~ext months, our., 3 - ~p_ailet will acquire another satellite.... The ? -=tarnnical difficulties that stood in 'the way of

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SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE REPORT -- THE SOVIET SPACE RESEARCH PROGRAM: MONOGRAPH II OBJECTIVES