* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

RE: Polyus spacecraft

Blobrana · L

The Polyus spacecraft was launched May 15, 1987 from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 250 as part of the first flight of the Energia system, but failed to reach orbit.
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Blobrana · L

The Polyus spacecraft, also known as Polus, Skif-DM, GRAU index 17F19DM, was a prototype orbital weapons platform designed to defend against anti-satellite weapons with a recoilless cannon. It had a Functional Cargo Block (similar to the Zarya FGB that became the first component of the International Space Station) space resupply tug, derived from a TKS spacecraft, attached to control its orbit. It was also equipped with a sensor blinding laser to confuse approaching weapons and could launch test targets to validate the fire control system.
Polyus was launched May 15, 1987 from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 250 as part of the first flight of the Energia system, but failed to reach orbit.
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