Terra-3

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Terra-3 is a laser testing centre, located on the Sary Shagan anti-ballistic missile testing range.45°50′53″N 73°31′05″E / 45.848, 73.518

[edit] Development

Development of laser weapons in the Soviet Union began in 1964-1965.[1] Vympel OKB was amongst the first to be given work on these weapons. In the 1970s they built the Terra-3 complex for research purposes. It was meant as an ABM and ASAT weapon, but even the Astrofizika high energy red ruby and carbon dioxide lasers that were eventually installed proved to be insufficient for use against ballistic missiles. The first applications would have to be limited to anti-satellite, and then primarily to blind optical sensors.[2]

[edit] Shuttle Challenger illumination

It is alleged that on 10 October 1984, Soviet Minister of Defence Dmitry Ustinov ordered the Terra-3 complex to fire a warning shot at the shuttle Challenger, in response to the U.S. Strategic Defense Initiative plans announced a year earlier, and the continued military use of the shuttle. Even though the shuttle was illuminated with a low-power laser, it caused malfunctions to on-board equipment and discomfort (possibly even temporary blinding) of the crew. [3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ A. Karpenko (1999). ABM And Space Defense. Nevsky Bastion pp. 2-47. Federation of American Scientists.
  2. ^ Terra-3. Encyclopedia Astronautica.
  3. ^ SGS-14-G mission report. Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved on 2008-01-01.