Istrebitel Sputnikov

Istrebitel Sputnikov, or IS (Russian: Истребитель спутников, ИС, meaning "destroyer of satellites"[1]), was a Soviet anti-satellite weapons programme which led to the deployment of the IS-A or I2P system during the 1970s and 1980s.[2] IS satellites were originally intended to launch on UR-200 rockets, but following the cancellation of the UR-200, the Polyot, Tsyklon-2A and Tsyklon-2 rockets were used instead.[3]

The first test flights of the IS spacecraft used the I1P configuration, and served to demonstrate the propulsion and control systems of the spacecraft.[4] Both were launched by Polyot rockets, and were designated Polyot 1 and Polyot 2. They were launched on 1 November 1963 and 12 April 1964 respectively.[3] Following this, IS-A or I2P interceptors and IS-P or I2M targets were launched. Only four IS-P targets were launched before the type was replaced by the cheaper DS-P1-M satellite,[5] launched as part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik programme. Later IS-A tests intercepted DS-P1-M satellites, or the Lira satellites that succeeded them.[6]

  1. ^ Not to be confounded with "sputnik-istrebitel" ("спутник-истребитель"), "fighter satellite".
  2. ^ Wade, Mark. "IS-A". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 22 January 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  3. ^ a b McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Report. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  4. ^ Wade, Mark. "Polyot". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 17 June 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  5. ^ Wade, Mark. "IS-P". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 17 June 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  6. ^ Wade, Mark. "DS-P1-M". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 5 January 2009. Retrieved 17 May 2010.