Apr 1 1978
From The Space Library
The NYT reported that the Soviet Union had apparently agreed to a U.S. proposal to begin talks on banning hunter-killer satellites, which the USSR had been developing for about a decade. A senior Western diplomat said the Kremlin had formally conveyed its willingness to negotiate but had not said when. Marshal Nikolai V. Ogarkov, chief of staff of USSR armed forces, had outlined the Soviet position when he met with 21 visiting U.S. congressmen in Moscow. The Carter Administration had revealed earlier that it had suggested a treaty after 3 successful USSR tests of a new satellite (known in military jargon as Asat) able to maneuver close to another satellite in orbit and explode. If perfected, such a weapon (which the U.S. did not have) could threaten satellites used to verify compliance with strategic arms agreements, to give early warning of missile attack, or for civilian and military communications links.
The Pentagon was unhappy about the administration's decision to negotiate because it had 2 U.S. hunter-killer satellites under development: one could be launched into an orbit similar to that of the satellite to be destroyed, and another more maneuverable model using infrared sensors could seek out targets over great distances. The administration apparently hoped Pentagon plans would induce the Soviets to begin negotiations in Apr. It was not clear whether a treaty would cover only hunter-killer satellites or would include ground-based antisatellite weapons such as powerful laser beams, which the Pentagon opposed banning. (NYT, April 1/78, 5)
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