Central Intelligence Agency

Soviet Dependence on Space Systems Central Intelligence Agency

It's not just the US that depends on access to space! This professionally printed reproduction of an originally classified report, prepared in 1975 by interagency team headed by CIA's Directorate of Science & Technology at request of National Intelligence Officer for Strategic Programs and now declassified, illustrates how heavily the former Soviet Union relied on space systems for military and intelligence purposes. While the regime has changed, Russian strategic interests have not, and over the last fifty years dependence on space technology has only become more embedded in national power. The report contains detailed analysis of all then known Soviet space systems, their role in Soviet operations, their assessed vulnerability, and the likely impact of degradation or destruction of those systems. The discussion is interwoven with the related issue of the US ability to deter Soviet attacks on our systems and the prospects of noninterference agreements during this era of strategic arms limitation. A valuable reference point for anyone interested in understanding the history of space power.