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The Naryad program Even after the retirement of its original anti-satellite system, Russia did not give up the capability to develop and deploy anti-satellite weapons. Following the end of the IS program, a brand new anti-satellite system was emerging on the drawing board during the 1980s. This time it was seen as a segment of a comprehensive antimissile defense shield -- the Soviet response to Ronald Reigan's Strategic Defense Initiative, or "Star Wars." In May 1987, Michael Gorbachev, who succeeded Yuri Andropov and Konstantin Chernenko as the Soviet leader, arrived to Baikonur for a long-awaited visit. Among the technologies, demonstrated to Gorbachev at the site was the IS spacecraft and the prototype of a next-generation anti-satellite platform called "Naryad" (Sentry). The system was under development by the KB Salyut design bureau led by D. A. Polukhin, and, reportedly, included UR-100N-type silo-based missiles carrying "kill vehicles" capable of intercepting orbiting satellites and ballistic warheads during various stages of flight or even hit targets on the ground. The government authorized the construction of several experimental vehicles for the project. General Zavalishin, who showed Gorbachev around the exhibit in Baikonur in May 1987, used the opportunity to advocate the resumption of the orbital anti-satellite tests. Zavalishin reminded Gorbachev about similar work in the US and he promised to cover up the ASAT launches so nobody would ever suspect the tests were actually taking place. As Zavalishin recalls, in response "...Gorbachev went into incoherent and wordy explanations, which concluded with a polite, but resolute refusal."(100) Ironically, only few days after this conversation, on May 15, 1987, the first heavy-lift Energia rocket blasted off from Baikonur, carrying the Skif DM (Polyus) spacecraft, which was later described as the prototype of a "battle station" in space. Among other things, the Polyus could reportedly carry anti-satellite weapons. Due to a software glitch, the 90-ton-class spacecraft has never made it into orbit. Although the large scale Soviet "Star Wars" program had never materialized, the Naryad project apparently lingered on, even during the post-Soviet chaos. The system was based on the Rockot vehicle and its Briz upper stage, which also acquired a commercial role in post-Soviet Russia. According to Russian sources, the first sub-orbital launch of the Rockot booster on November 11, 1990, carried the Naryad-V payload. During the first decade of the 21st century, the real status of the Naryad project remained unclear, however small bits of information leaking into the open Russian press allowed speculation that it was "on the table." For example, the account of President Putin's visit to Khrunichev enterprise published on January 23, 2002 in Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper, the mouthpiece of the Defense Ministry, mentioned the availability of the Naryad system as a potential response to the US decision to withdraw from the antimissile defense treaty. The project also came up again during one of Khrunichev's anniversary gatherings in the decade of 2000. While many Soviet period military space projects have been documented in open Russian sources, the history of the Naryad project remained mostly under wraps, beyond declassification of its existence and its name. In the meantime, reports from Russia have continuously showed that increasing military budgets have afforded Russian authorities to jump-start some dormant weapons development programs. Possible Naryad flight tests:
Page author and illustrator: Anatoly Zak; last update: February 24, 2008 Editor: Alain Chabot; last edit: February 24, 2008 |
PICTURE GALLERY
The IS interceptor dives toward its target in this artist rendering. Copyright © 2001 Anatoly Zak
The Rockot booster. The configuration on the left possibly incorporates the Naryad platform. Click to enlarge: 263 x 500 pixels / 28K Copyright © 2002 Anatoly Zak
A Briz upper stage (apparently, shown upside down). Credit: Eurockot
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