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GEO Early Warning Systems

An early warning satellite network located in GEO could significantly reduce the number of spacecraft necessary for 24-hour surveillance. (Molniya-orbit spacecraft are typically only used for 2 hr 40 min. during each 12 hour orbit.) The first USSR prototype GEO early warning space craft was actually tested in 1975, but the first operational spacecraft did not appear until 1984 in the form of Kosmos 1546. Today, 3-4 spacecraft are normally operational at 2-3 positions in the ITU-listed Prognoz series. The preferred locations are 12 degrees E, 80 degrees E, and 336 degrees E with expansion sites at 35 degrees E, 130 degrees E, 166 degrees E, and 201 degrees E.

The first three GEO early warning missions (Kosmos 1546, 1629, and 1894) apparently employed standard Oko spacecraft. The next spacecraft, Kosmos 1940, was experimental in nature with possible nuclear detonation detection sensors. The second-generation early warning satellites debuted under the Prognoz name with Kosmos 2133 in 1990. Based on a new bus similar to Lavochkin's Spektr design, the satellite apparently carries a l m diameter sensor with a 12,000 element, discrete linear detector IR array of PbS material (References 86, 92-93).

At the beginning of 1993, three Russian GEO early warning spacecraft were apparently operational: Kosmos 2133, 2209, and 2224. Kosmos 2133 and 2209 were both positioned at 336 degrees E, but during June-September 1993 the former was transferred to 80 degrees E. At the same time Kosmos 2224, which had been stationed at 12 degrees E was shifted to 336 degrees E beside Kosmos 2209. Then, in late March - early April 1994, Kosmos 2224 was returned to 12 degrees E before Kosmos 2282 was launched in July for operations at 336 degrees E. All GEO early warning satellites are launched by the Proton-K booster from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

86. B. Kagan, Soviet ABM Early Warning System (Satellite-based Project M), Delphic Associates, Inc., 1991.

87. P. Podvig, "The Operational Status of the Russian Space-Based Early Warning System", Science & Global Security, Vol. 4, 1994, pp. 363-384.

88. Pravda, 15 April 1991, p.8.

89. Krasnaya Zvezda, 14 March 1991, p. 4.

90. B.S. Skrebushevskly, et al, "The Principles of the Development of Space Equipment for SPRN", Voyennaya, June-July 1992.

91. Novosti Kosmonavtiki, 1-17 January 1993, pp. 19-21, and 1-14 March 1993, pp. 17-19.

92. J. Bilbro, et al, "Report of Visit to Selected Russian Laboratories" (18-30 October 1992), NASA Optics Technology Team.

93. P.S. Clark, "Russia's Geosynchronous Early Warning Satellite Program", Jane's Intelligence Review, Febnuary 1994, pp. 61-64.

94. Pravitelstvennyy Vestnik, February 1992, p. 5.

95. "Early Warning Center Planned", Space News, 24 February -1 March 1992, p. 2.

96. "Washington Roundup, Bombs Away", Aviation Week and Space Technology, 24 February 1992, p. 25.

97. J.M. Lenorovitz, "US, Russia To Share Missile Warning Data", Aviation Week and Space Technology, 11 April 1994, pp.24-25.

98. W.B. Scott, "Russian Pitches Common Early Warning Network", Aviation Week and Space Technology, 9 January 1995, pp. 46-47.

99. S. Weber, "Obstacles Remain for Joint Military Research Program", Space News, 24-30 October 1994, p.17.

100. C. Privor, "Joint Efforts Could Strengthen Defense Capabilities", Space News, 14-27 August 1995, p. 11.

101. ITAR-TASS, Moscow, 20 October 1993.

102. J.M. Lenorovitz, "Joint Flight To Gather ICBM Tracking Data", Aviation Week and Space Technology, 18 October 1993, pp. 96-97.

103. V. Kiernan, "BMDO Shortfall May Delay U.S. - Russian Skipper Launch", Space News, 13-19 December 1993, p. 22.

104. L.H. Caveny, "BMDO Projects with Russian Institutes", International Conference of Problems Related to the Global Protection System from Ballistic Missiles. 22-24 November 1993

Sources and Resources

• Adapted from: Europe and Asia in Space 1993-1994, Nicholas Johnson and David Rodvold [Kaman Sciences / Air Force Phillips Laboratory]

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