Space Forces Day is annually celebrated in Russia on October 4. It took a lot of time for the Russian Space Forces to become part of the Russian Aerospace Forces . The government needed to make numerous amendments, which were repeatedly revised, as well as implement a number of reform decisions. It is worth noting that the last decision related to this issue was considered and adopted only two years ago. The Day of the Russian Space Forces first appeared on the festive calendar at the beginning of the new millennium, namely, in 2002.
This was possible thanks signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin's decree, registered under the number 1115. The document was developed in order to amend the existing 1239 Decree, which entered into force on 10 December 1995. And also included a decree "On establishing the day of the Strategic Missile Forces and the day of the air forces." October 4 - Day of the Russian Space Forces. The date was not chosen by chance, because on that day the era of astronautics began, the start of which was given by the Soviet Union.
What is the significant date of October 4?
Most people have no idea why Vladimir Vladimirovich decided to sign the decree on this very day. The date was not randomly selected and is associated with significant successes in Soviet cosmonautics. Back in 1957, in the midst of the so-called arms race, Soviet scientists made a real breakthrough by launching the first artificial satellite into orbit. This was made possible thanks to the dedicated and painstaking work of such brilliant designers as Nikolai Lidorenko, Mstislav Keldysh and Mikhail Tikhonravov. All of them were under the strict guidance of Sergey Korolyov, responsible for the project.
Many did not believe that "Sputnik 1" (PS-1) will be able to go beyond the earth's atmosphere, and even more so - to maintain the operation of all systems in orbit, passing the necessary data in the Research Center, located on the territory of the Soviet Union.
The device not only successfully fulfilled its immediate task, being far away from the Earth, but also served as a starting point for a new round of confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union.
The name PS-1 was deciphered by Russian scientists as "the simplest satellite." However, it absolutely does not transmit the enormous efforts that were required to create an artificial satellite. The designers, headed by Sergey Korolev, needed not only to work on the technical part of the apparatus, but also to prove to the leaders of the state that their idea was taking place. Despite the fact that the majority of high-ranking officials perceived reports about satellites as "tomfoolery" of researchers, there were those who believed in the importance of the project.
If it were not for the perseverance of S. Korolev, then perhaps the feast of the Russian Space Forces was celebrated on another day.
Interesting fact
Created by Soviet scientists "Sputnik 1" seriously puzzled Americans who were furious, realizing that the Russian passed them in the space race. Until the first satellite from the United States was launched, PS-1 managed to circumnavigate the Earth 1,440 times. Sputnik 1 left its orbit at the very beginning of 1958, namely on January 4.
57 years later
Despite the fact that Russian aircraft have been successfully operating beyond the borders of our planet for more than half a century, the Day of the Russian Space Forces is the youngest army holiday. Military astronauts, who became part of the RF Armed Forces, celebrate two professional holidays a year. This is the Day of the Russian Air Force in December and the Day of the Russian Space Forces, the date of which is October 4.
Space troops: the main task
The main task performed by the Russian Aerospace Forces is the prevention and suppression of military aggression against the Russian Federation. The fighters of the Space Forces have a huge responsibility. They are obliged to timely warn the country's leadership about the invasion of Russian territory, as well as suppress or destroy the aggressor, whose goal is strategically important objects.
These functions are distributed immediately to the two commanders - air and missile defense, to obey the orders of General Paul Kuratchenko and space, led by General Oleg Maidanovich. In order to avoid all kinds of misunderstandings, the areas of responsibility are clearly distributed. The military space forces are responsible for all radar stations scanning the space far beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. They are able to warn in advance of a missile attack.
Reflection of air strikes and attacks from space
People loyal to the homeland and to celebrate the Day of the Russian Federation videoconferencing, every moment watching the situation not only in the air, but also in low-Earth orbit. In this they are helped by ultramodern radar stations equipped with missile attack warning systems.
The Government of the Russian Federation pays due attention to the youngest branch of the armed forces. Last year, the construction of the super-powerful Voronezh radar station, which is located near Irkutsk, was completed. At the moment, it works in the decimeter range, but, according to the Ministry of Defense, the power can be doubled, which will significantly expand the radius of view. This will be enough for the radar to be able to scan the area at a distance of 6000 km, covering the territory from India to the coastal regions of the western United States.
Today, on the defense of the Russian Federation are four powerful radars located near St. Petersburg, Armavir, Usolye-Sibirsky and Kaliningrad. When these stations start operating at full capacity, the country will be protected from preemptive strikes from the southeast, southwest, south and east. For complete safety, it is necessary to build several more objects of the Voronezh type.
Battle satellites
It's hard to believe, but even satellites are on guard of state borders. In the service of the videoconferencing are several dozen satellites, some of which are for military purposes, and some are dual. While some devices perform exclusively combat missions, others can work both for the army and for the benefit of the civilian population. For example, the GLONASS system has long been intended only for military use, but in recent years it has been helping millions of motorists around the world every day.
The movement of vehicles under management videoconferencing Russian daily watching a thousand highly qualified specialists, who are also, like their counterparts, each year celebrating the Day of the Military Space Forces of Russia.
The eighth wonder of the world
Domestic technical equipment at the service of the Russian Aerospace Forces have incredible characteristics that the nearest competitors, such as the USA or China, cannot even dream of. An example is the Don-2N radar station, which is based in Sofrino near Moscow. Her duty calculations are directed not only to the work of anti-missile defense, the aim of which is the prevention of missile attacks, but they still control everything that happens in near space. For its versatility, the radar received the nickname "The Eighth Wonder of the World."
Our Don-2N is well known far beyond the ocean. So, experts from the United States from personal experience were convinced of the effectiveness of the radar when they participated in the Oderax pilot program. The Russian military, together with their colleagues from NATO staged a private competition, the essence of which was to determine the best team that with the Earth in more detail could consider smaller pieces of space debris. Radar "Don-2N" showed an unimaginable result. She was the only one who could detect and display data on a spherical object, the size of which did not exceed two inches.
VKS fleet today
At the moment, the Russian Aerospace Forces have the latest aircraft of various types, the total number of which already exceeds 3800 units. The air fleet also boasts various helicopter models, which number over 1400 units. Among them there are both modernized ones that have received cutting-edge weapons and equipment, and completely new ones, for example, K-52. The technical characteristics of the fleet, as well as the electronics on board, are an order of magnitude higher than those of the closest competitors, including NATO. But despite the technical superiority, the Russian Ministry of Defense does not intend to stop the modernization of existing equipment, as well as continue to support local designers working on the creation of new types of aviation vehicles for the army.
Day of the Russian Space Forces: traditions
As a rule, on this red day of the calendar for military personnel, VKS all kinds of special events, meetings of colleagues, as well as thematic conferences are held. On the day of the Russian Aerospace Forces, it is customary to present diplomas and awards for valiant service, significant achievements before the Motherland. However, it is not necessary to be an active member of the armed forces or a veteran of the Aerospace Forces to attend a holiday. In the cities in which the largest number of personnel of the Military Space Forces is concentrated, for example, Usolye-Sibirsky, it is customary to organize mass celebrations. Sometimes, the whole city gathers for celebrations, and congratulations on the Day of the Russian Space Forces are heard from the lips of the highest officials.
If your family has a VKS soldier, you can congratulate him with a poem:
Let the cosmos blossom with sparklers
Sparks so as not to count these.
For those who know about weightlessness
Yes, the very first sun meets!
Relatives did not wait long,
And you to fly to distant planets.
In the hard way for you to support reliable,
Danger to get through as possible.
Space to remain familiar
Born as if you are in it.
Good luck day after day!