Dec 18 1975
From The Space Library
Allegations that the Soviet Union had been testing a laser system to blind U.S. spy satellites were discussed in an article in the Christian Science Monitor. A satellite watching Russia from a spot in the sky over the Indian Ocean had set off false alarms of a missile attack 18 Sept. when its sensitive instruments detected heat such as might result from the firing of missiles. The heat had originated from a fire caused by breaks in a natural gas pipeline, as later satellite photographs confirmed, but between the alarm and the photographs U.S. intelligence had speculated that the Soviets had trained lasers on the satellite to prevent detection, in violation of the U.S.-Soviet agreement on arms. The gas fires had set off other warnings after 18 Sept., apparently because the ruptures and fires occurred at different times and places in Russia in both October and November. CSM quoted an article in Aviation Week magazine questioning whether lasers could be used to prevent monitoring of military activity on the ground by satellites, noting that officials at the U.S. Arms Control Agency had discounted the reported incidents. Both the U.S. and the Soviet Union were known to be spending large amounts on laser research, and the December issue of the authoritative Jane's Weapon Systems had discussed the implications of laser research for military uses in both countries. (CSM, 18 Dec 75, 3; Miami Herald, 24 Dec 75, 8A; Ft. Myers News Press, 28 Dec 75, 1)
The Soviet Union for the first time had discovered atoms of "natrium" sodium, as it is known in the U.S.-at an altitude of nearly 100 km, in the lower ionosphere. The experiment was difficult, said Tass, because at that altitude only 1 atom of natrium exists per 1000 million molecules of nitrogen and oxygen. A laser unit had established a relationship between natrium content in the upper atmosphere and meteor showers; the announcement said the discovery would be significant because of the effect of natrium on long distance television and radio communications. (Tass, in FBIS No. 248, 18 Dec 75)
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