Credit: © Mark Wade. 6,769 bytes. 242 x 169 pixels.
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| Soyuz PPK - Soyuz PPK antisatellite interceptor (conceptual drawing based on description). Credit: © Mark Wade. 6,769 bytes. 242 x 169 pixels. |
The Soyuz 7K-PPK (pilotiruemiy korabl-perekhvatchik, manned interceptor spacecraft) was a revised version of the Soyuz P manned satellite inspection spacecraft. The PPK provided the cosmonaut with a standoff capability for destruction of enemy satellites. For this purpose the Soyuz was equipped with eight small rockets. As in the Soyuz P, the spacecraft would rendezvous with the enemy satellite. But the cosmonaut would remain in the spacecraft, using visual and other on-board systems to inspect the satellite. If the satellite was to be eliminated, the Soyuz would back off to a distance of 1 kilometre, and then destroy it using the on-board rocket-mines. Delays in the development of the Soyuz led to abandonment of this plan.
Craft.Crew Size: 2. Total Length: 6.5 m. Maximum Diameter: 2.7 m. Total Habitable Volume: 13.00 m3. Total Mass: 6,700 kg.
KB Kozlov began active development of the military applied versions of the Soyuz. A new version of the R-7 launch vehicle, the 11A514, was put into development to support launch of the Soyuz-P, now designated the 7K-PPK (pilotiruemovo korablya-perekhvatchika, manned interceptor spacecraft). The Soyuz-R would include the small orbital station 11F71 with photo-reconnaissance and ELINT equipment. To dock with the 11F71 station Kuibishev developed the transport spacecraft 11F72 7K-TK. This version of the Soyuz was equipped with rendezvous, docking, and transition equipment, including an airlock, that allowed the two cosmonauts to enter the station without using EVA. The launch vehicle for the 7K-TK would be the 11A511, known today as the Soyuz.