Space

Legend - US-P and US-A

he US-A used active sensing instruments, while the US-P used passive ones. Both were equipped with communications systems for transferring data to ships and submarines. The US-P's instruments were designed to detect targets via targets' emission of electromagnetic signatures, while the active ones were equipped with side-looking air-to-ground radar, providing all-weather, day and night-time surveillance and detection of surface targets, along information on their speed and direction. The nuclear-powered satellites were equipped with propulsion systems, and were able to make course corrections while in orbit.

The first generation MKRC "Legend" ocean surveillance system consisted of the US-P and US-A. To accomplish this task, in the same OKB-52 (later as the "NGO Mashinostroyeniya"), in parallel with the development of Granit, the creation of a system of global marine space reconnaissance and target designation (MKRC "Legenda"). In the framework of the system, it was planned to create a constellation of satellites that would continuously scan the World Ocean for the purpose of "all-weather all-weather reconnaissance and information on the surface target situation". To accomplish this task, in the same OKB-52 (later as the "NGO Mashinostroyeniya"), in parallel with the development of Granit, the creation of a system of global marine space reconnaissance and target designation (MKRC "Legenda"). In the framework of the system, it was planned to create a constellation of satellites that would continuously scan the World Ocean for the purpose of "all-weather all-weather reconnaissance and information on the surface target situation".

The work on the project involved the largest scientific centers of the country - the Institute of Physics and Power Engineering and the Institute of Atomic Energy. I.V. Kurchatov. Calculations of orbital parameters were performed under the guidance of Academician Keldysh. The head organization was the Design Bureau VN. The chelomea. The development of the nuclear power plant was carried out in OKB-670 (NPO Krasnaya Zvezda). In the beginning of 1970 the Leningrad plant "Arsenal" produced the first prototypes. The radar reconnaissance unit was adopted in 1975, and the satellite for radio intelligence was in 1978. In 1983, the last component of the system was adopted: the supersonic anti-ship missile P-700 Granit.

In 1982, the unified system was tested in action. During the Falklands War, data from space satellites allowed the command of the Soviet Navy to monitor the operational and tactical situation in the South Atlantic, accurately calculate the actions of the British fleet and even with an accuracy of a few hours to predict the time and place of the landing of the English landing at the Falklands. Orbital grouping together with shipborne information reception points provided the detection of ships and the issuance of target designation to missile weapons.

The first type of satellite US-P ("controlled satellite-passive", index GRAU 17F17) is a complex of radio-technical reconnaissance, created for the detection and direction finding of objects having electromagnetic radiation. The second type of US-A satellite ("controlled satellite-active", GRAU index 17F16) was equipped with a two-sided lateral view radar providing all-weather and all-weather detection of surface targets. The low working orbit (which eliminated the use of bulky solar panels) and the need for a powerful and uninterrupted power source (solar cells could not work on the shady side of the Earth) determined the type of on-board power source - BES-5 "Buk" nuclear reactor with a thermal power of 100 kW (electric Power - 3 kW, estimated working time - 1080 hours).

During the chaos of the 1990s and the underfunding of the first half of the 2000s, the Legend ceased to exist: in 1993 Legend ceased to cover even half of the naval strategic directions, and in 1998 the last active device was buried. However, without it, it was impossible to speak at all about any effective counteraction to the American fleet, not to mention the fact that the Russian fleet became blind - military intelligence was left without an eye, and the country's defense capability deteriorated sharply.