On the fourth of October, Russia celebrates the Day of Space Troops. We will tell you about the holiday, its history and traditions for 2022 in the material of Sputnik radio.Space Troops Day
When is marked
Space Troops Day has been celebrated in Russia on October 4 since 2006. The date was set by the presidential decree "On the establishment of professional holidays and memorable days in the Armed Forces of Russia" dated May 31, 2006. The celebrations are timed to coincide with the launch of the first artificial Earth satellite. It was launched into orbit on October 4, 1957 by the R-7 carrier rocket from the 5th research range of the USSR Ministry of Defense, which later became known as the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The successful launch of the world's first satellite was the discovery of the chronicle of cosmonautics, including military.
The history of the holiday
The first parts of the space purpose appeared in the mid-50s of the last century. They are associated with the construction of the legendary Baikonur and Plesetsk cosmodromes. Scientists together with the military launched the first Soviet satellite into space and prepared the launch of Yuri Gagarin's Vostok spacecraft. Moreover, the army was engaged not only in space, but also in preparing infrastructure for ballistic missiles.
As for the history of the Space Forces, they have experienced more than one reform. This branch of the armed forces integrated with the Ministry of Defense and was part of the Strategic Missile Forces. In 2001, the Space Forces were formed into an independent branch of the armed forces. But they existed autonomously for only 10 years and became part of the Aerospace Defense Forces. But even here they didn't stay long. They were again separated into a separate genus, and since 2022 they have been part of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS RF).
A technician installs a braking parachute on a multi-purpose fighter MiG-31 of the Russian Aerospace Forces Image source: © RIA Novosti / Vitaly Ankov
It is worth noting that the Space Troops almost always had their own holiday. If we take 1955 for the year of their foundation, then five years later an order on "Kick Day" was signed. KIK is a command and measurement complex that was responsible for launching artificial satellites. The first of the vehicles entered orbit on October 4. This event became an occasion for celebration in the Soviet Union, and then in Russia.
From 2001 to 2011, the Space Forces conducted and ensured more than 230 launches of launch vehicles, which put more than 300 spacecraft into orbit. Among them are means of communication, navigation, cartography, remote sensing of the Earth, telecommunications and other scientific devices. Also, the controls warned about more than 900 dangerous approaches of space objects from the ISS (International Space Station).
Holiday traditions
There is not much information about the activities of the Space Forces, this kind of troops can be considered secret. There are no big open holidays on the Day of the Space Forces in Russia, so there is little to say about the traditions. It is only known that on their professional holiday, the cadets of the Military Space Academy named after Mozhaisk, where officers of the comic troops are trained, are built on the parade ground on the morning of October 4 and participate in solemn events. The leadership makes a speech in front of the formation. Then the personnel goes to a prayer service in Smolny Cathedral. After that, meetings with veterans are held, and a festive concert is organized at the academy's club, at which the local orchestra performs. That's how the Day of Space Troops is celebrated in a military way.
The current state and importance of space troops
The Space Forces are the youngest branch of the armed forces in the Russian army. It is part of the Aerospace Forces (VKS), and in general is subordinate to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. One of the tasks is to monitor the situation in outer space, as well as the detection and tracking of various objects. Special attention is paid to foreign spacecraft and orbital groupings in general. Foreign experiments involving space technology are also being monitored. In 2021, the Main Center for the Exploration of the Space Situation of the Space Forces carried out about 3,500 special works to control changes in the situation. The Center's specialists tracked the launch of 1,450 spacecraft into orbit. 1,700 objects were discovered and taken for escort. 15 times a warning was issued about the dangerous approach of objects with Russian satellites. A variety of radio engineering and laser systems are used to monitor near-Earth space and identify threats to Russia from space.
A serviceman of the Space Forces of the Aerospace Forces at the control panel for the launch of the Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket with a military satellite at the Plesetsk cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region Image source: © RIA Novosti / Pavel Lviv
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that by 2025, more than 12 new laser-optical and radio-technical control complexes will be deployed in Russia in the interests of the Space Forces. They will detect and accompany space objects. By the way, the first such complex of the new generation has already begun work. He is stationed in the Altai Territory and has taken up combat duty. It should be noted that abroad they monitor the development of the Russian Space Forces and even show concern. They are mainly related to the fact that Russia may be able not only to monitor outer space, but also to hit targets in orbit. It is assumed that there are or at least the development of anti-satellite missile, radio-electronic and laser systems, as well as inspection satellites, including those with combat capabilities. Also, this branch of the armed forces is engaged in the launch and management of military and dual-use satellite systems. In addition, the tasks of the Space Forces include missile defense.
How to become a part of the Space Forces
There are not so many units of this kind of troops in Russia and recruitment there is limited, since these are units of strategic importance. The surest way is to enroll in one of the two higher educational institutions of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, where officers are trained for the Space Forces. This is the Military Space Academy named after Mozhaisky in St. Petersburg or the Military Academy of Aerospace Defense named after Zhukov in Tver. There are different faculties there, so you can choose the direction that you like. For example, it is possible to focus on the military unit and missile defense. You can study to be a design engineer or become a programmer.
By Olga Gavrilova, Sputnik Radio
