Day of the military space forces of Russia - October 4: the history of the holiday, congratulations

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Space Forces Day is annually celebrated in Russia on October 4th. It took a lot of time for the Space Forces of the Russian Federation to become part of the Russian Aerospace Forces. The government had to make numerous amendments, which were repeatedly revised, as well as to implement a number of reform decisions. It is worth noting that the last decision related to this issue was considered and adopted only two years ago. The Day of the Russian Space Forces first appeared on the holiday calendar at the beginning of the new millennium, namely in 2002.

This became possible thanks to the decree number 1115 signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The document was developed in order to amend the already existing decree number 1239, which entered into force on December 10, 1995. And also contained a decree "On the establishment of the day of the Strategic Missile Forces and the day of the Aerospace Forces." October 4 is the Day of the Russian Space Forces. The date was not chosen by chance, because it was on this day that the era begancosmonautics launched by the Soviet Union.

What is the significance of October 4th?

Most people have absolutely no idea why Vladimir Vladimirovich decided to sign the decree on that very day. The date was not chosen at random and is associated with significant successes in Soviet cosmonautics. Back in 1957, at the height of the so-called arms race, Soviet scientists made a real breakthrough by launching the first artificial satellite into orbit. This became possible thanks to the selfless and painstaking work of such brilliant designers as Nikolai Lidorenko, Mstislav Keldysh and Mikhail Tikhonravov. All of them were under the strict guidance of Sergey Korolev, who is responsible for the project.

Many did not believe that Sputnik-1 (PS-1) would be able to go beyond the earth's atmosphere, and even more so, to maintain the efficiency of all systems in orbit, transmitting the necessary data to a research center located on the territory Soviet Union.

The device not only successfully performed its immediate task, being far beyond the Earth, but also served as the starting point for a new round of confrontation between the United States of America and the Soviet Union.

The name PS-1 Russian scientists deciphered as "the simplest satellite". However, it absolutely does not convey the colossal efforts that were required to create an artificial satellite. The designers, headed by Sergey Korolev, needed not only to work on the technical part of the device, but alsoto prove to the leaders of the state that their idea has a place to be. Despite the fact that most high-ranking officials perceived the satellite reports as "tomfoolery" of scientists, there were those who believed in the significance of the project.

If not for the persistence of S. Korolev, then perhaps the holiday of the Russian Space Forces was celebrated on a different day.

Interesting fact

Designed by Soviet scientists, Sputnik 1 seriously puzzled the Americans, who were beside themselves with rage, realizing that the Russians had beaten them in the space race. Until the moment the first satellite was launched from the territory of the United States, PS-1 managed to go around the Earth 1440 times. Sputnik 1 left its orbit at the very beginning of 1958, namely on January 4.

57 years later

Despite the fact that Russian aircraft have been successfully operating outside our planet for more than half a century, the Day of the Russian Space Forces is the youngest military holiday. Military cosmonauts, who became part of the RF Armed Forces, celebrate two professional holidays a year. This is the Day of the Russian Air Force, which falls on December, and the Day of the Russian Space Forces, the date of which is October 4.

Space Forces: Main Mission

The main task of the Russian Aerospace Forces is to prevent and suppress military aggression against the Russian Federation. The fighters of the Space Forces have a huge responsibility. They are obliged to warn the country's leadership in time about the invasion of the territory of Russia, as well as to suppress or destroy the aggressor,the purpose of which are strategically important objects.

These functions apply to two commands at once - air defense and missile defense, obeying the orders of General Pavel Kuratchenko and space, headed by General Oleg Maidanovich. To avoid any kind of misunderstanding, the areas of responsibility are clearly distributed. The military space forces are responsible for all radar stations that scan space far beyond the earth's atmosphere. They are capable of early warning of a missile attack.

Deflecting air strikes and attacks from space

People who swore allegiance to the Motherland and celebrate the Day of the Russian Aerospace Forces every second monitor the situation not only in the airspace, but also in near-Earth orbit. In this they are assisted by state-of-the-art radar stations equipped with missile attack warning systems.

The Government of the Russian Federation pays due attention to the youngest branch of the military. Last year, the construction of the super-powerful Voronezh radar station, which is located near Irkutsk, was completed. At the moment, it operates in the decimeter range, but according to the Department of Defense, the power can be doubled, which will significantly expand the viewing radius. This will be enough for the radar to be able to scan the area at a distance of 6000 km, covering the territory from India to the coastal regions of the western United States.

Today, the defense of the Russian Federation has four powerful radar stations located near St. Petersburg, Armavir, Usolye-Sibirsky and Kaliningrad. When these stations operate at full capacity, the country will be protected from preemptive strikes from the southeast, southwest, south and east. For complete security, it is necessary to build several more objects of the Voronezh type.

Combat satellites

It's hard to believe, but even satellites stand guard over state borders. There are several dozen satellites in the service of the Aerospace Forces, some of which are military, and some are dual. While some devices perform exclusively combat missions, others can work both for the army and for the benefit of the civilian population. For example, the GLONASS system was for a long time intended only for military use, but in recent years it has helped millions of motorists around the world every day.

The movement of vehicles controlled by the Russian Aerospace Forces is monitored daily by about a thousand highly qualified specialists who, like their colleagues, annually celebrate the Day of the Russian Military Space Forces.

The eighth wonder of the world

Domestic technical means in the service of the Russian Aerospace Forces have incredible characteristics that the closest competitors, such as the United States or China, cannot even dream of. An example is the Don-2N radar station, which is based in Sofrino near Moscow. Its duty crews are not only focused on the work of missile defense, the purpose of which is to warn of missile attacks, but they also control everything that happens innear space. It is for its versatility that the radar received the nickname "The Eighth Wonder of the World".

Our "Don-2N" is well known far beyond the ocean. So specialists from the United States were convinced of the effectiveness of the radar from personal experience when they participated in the Oderax pilot program. The Russian military, together with colleagues from the NATO bloc, staged a tacit competition, the essence of which was to determine the best team that could examine small elements of space debris in more detail from Earth. Radar "Don-2N" showed an unimaginable result. She was the only one able to detect and display data on a spherical object, the size of which did not exceed two inches.

VKS air fleet today

At the moment, the Russian Space Forces have the latest aircraft of various types, the total number of which already exceeds 3800 units. The air fleet also boasts various models of helicopters, of which there are over 1,400 units. Among them are both modernized, having received cutting-edge weapons and equipment, and completely new ones, for example, the K-52. The technical characteristics of the fleet, as well as the electronics available on board, are an order of magnitude higher than those of its closest competitors, including NATO. But despite the technical superiority, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation does not intend to stop the modernization of existing equipment, and will continue to support domestic designers working on the creation of new types of aircraft for the army.

Military DayRussian Space Forces: Traditions

As a rule, on this red day of the calendar for military personnel, VKS holds all kinds of festive events, meetings of colleagues, as well as thematic conferences. On the Day of the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation, it is customary to present certificates of honor and awards for valiant service, significant achievements in front of the Motherland. However, it is not necessary to be an active member of the military or a veteran of the Aerospace Forces in order to get to the holiday. In cities where the largest number of personnel of the Military Space Forces is concentrated, for example, Usolye-Sibirsky, it is customary to organize mass celebrations. Sometimes, the whole city gathers for festive events, and congratulations on the Day of the Russian Space Forces come from the lips of the highest officials.

If your family has a serviceman of the Aerospace Forces, you can congratulate him with a poem:

Let the cosmos bloom with Bengal fire, Sparks so as not to count these.

For those who know about weightlessness

Yes, the very first to meet the Sun!

Relatives don't have to wait long, And you, to fly to distant planets.

On the difficult path you have reliable support, Danger to pass as possible.

Space to stay sign, Born as if you were in it. Good luck to you day after day!