The key facts

  • In the 1960s the USSR and the USA developed satellites with nuclear reactors for observing fleets
  • The USA was the first to launch such a satellite into space in 1965, the USSR in 1970
  • «Kosmos-954» was launched in September 1977 from Baikonur, carrying 30 kg of uranium enriched to 90%

The space race and nuclear reactors in orbit

According to the publication Kun.uz, after World War II the USA and the USSR entered into a large-scale rivalry, including the arms race and space exploration. By the 1960s, both countries had sent humans into space and created intercontinental missiles with a range of 10–15 thousand kilometers. The USSR, the outlet notes, liked to present its achievements as «the victory of socialism over the capitalist system».

Why satellites needed nuclear reactors

Amid the rivalry, both powers began working on equipping satellites with nuclear reactors. The goal was to observe the enemy's fleets, submarines and aircraft carriers: radar equipment for high-precision observation above and under water required a lot of energy, which the solar panels of the time could not provide. The USA was the first to send such a craft into space: in 1965, under the SNAP program (Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power). The Soviet first-type craft was called «Romashka» — it successfully passed tests but did not make it to space in time; the USSR launched a satellite with a reactor only in 1970. In 1969, two Soviet satellites with reactors fell shortly after launch, and in 1973 and 1974 two more exploded during flight. In total, according to the outlet, accidents occurred with ten Soviet satellites with nuclear reactors, but the program continued.

The launch of «Kosmos-954»

In September 1977, the USSR launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome a satellite with a nuclear reactor named «Kosmos-954». In official statements, the craft was presented as an ordinary scientific one, however, as Kun.uz writes, the USA and their allies knew of its military purpose. On board was a small nuclear reactor running on enriched uranium, containing 30 kg of uranium enriched to 90%. The headline of the publication indicates that the craft fell on Canada, however details of the fall are absent from the provided text.