Credit: © Mark Wade. 10,593 bytes. 251 x 213 pixels.
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| Istrebitel Sputnik - I2P ASAT. As far as is known follow-on models (IS-P, IS-MU) and the R-36-launched targets had a similar appearance. Credit: © Mark Wade. 10,593 bytes. 251 x 213 pixels. |
First operational ASAT. Tested in 1967-1971 and deployed through the late 1970's. Design as revised by Yangel and Korolev from Chelomei's original. Launch vehicle R-36.
Total Mass: 1,400 kg.
Decree 715-295 'On approval of preliminary work on the Raketoplan, UR-200 ICBM, and IS anti-satellite system' was issued.
Brezhnev faction assumes control of Politubro. Brezhnev was adverse to all projects Khrushchev had supported. These included those of Chelomei and his OKB-52.
Decree 'On Creation of an R-36 Based Carrier Rocket for Launching the IS and US KA--start of work on an R-36-based launch vehicle for the IS and US programs' was issued. After Khrushchev was ousted from power, Chelomei's projects were examined by an expert commission under M V Keldysh. It was found that Yangel�s R-36 rocket was superior to Chelomei�s UR-200. The UR-200 was cancelled; the IS and US satellites would be launched by the R-36 11K67. The Tsyklon 2 definitive operational version replaced the 11K67 launch vehicle from 1969.
Ministry of Defence Decree 'On formation of Anti-Space and Anti-Missile Forces of the Air Defence Forces (PKO) to operate General Soviet ASAT systems' was issued.
Council of Soviet Ministers (SM) Decree 'On use of the R-36-based launcher for the Kosmos and Meteor satellites' was issued.
 | ASAT I2P Credit: Videokosmos. 15,467 bytes. 352 x 267 pixels. |
ASAT interceptor. Intercepted and destroyed Cosmos 248 target satellite within one day of launch. Left 139 fragments in orbit, the largest of any ASAT test.
ASAT target. Did not enter intended target orbit due to failure of on-board engine. Launch of ASAT interceptor planned for the next day was cancelled.
 | Asat hit - First operational ASAT, shown in a Soviet film attacking a US KH-4 Corona reconnaisance satellite. Tested in 1967-1971 and deployed through the late 1970's. Design as revised by Yangel and Korolev from Chelomei's original. Launch vehicle R-36. Credit: Videokosmos. 5,370 bytes. 225 x 141 pixels. |
ASAT target. Maneuvered twice to provide target for Cosmos 374 and 375 interceptors.
ASAT interceptor. Intercepted Cosmos 374 on second orbit. Blown up on instructions from ground.
ASAT interceptor. Intercept on second orbit. Blown up on instructions from ground. Dual launch of interceptors was intended to help ground staff perfect computational methods for quick-response launches when orbital methods of target were not precisely known.
 | ASAT I2P Credit: Videokosmos. 19,325 bytes. 314 x 238 pixels. |
ASAT interceptor. Intercept and destruction of target successful on second orbit.
ASAT interceptor. Conducted an extended test flight to shake out homing system and engine function. Tested new redundant ranging systems. Tested effectiveness of new approach trajectory to target, whereby target was approached from above rather than below. Following completion of tests and verification of system functions via telemetry, spacecraft was commanded to a destructive reentry over the Pacific Ocean.
ASAT interceptor. Successfully intercepted and destroyed Cosmos 459 target. This completed state trials test series and in 1972 the Istrebitel Sputnik was adopted as armament for the Soviet Army. Cosmos 462 produced the lowest number of fragments (27) of any of the ASAT's tested.