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Russian TV Shows Secret Space Monitoring Station in Caucasus

Posted on: Tuesday, 6 July 2004, 06:00 CDT

Text of report by Russian Ren TV on 28 June

[Presenter] In the foothills of the Caucasus mountains a unique complex for monitoring space is going fully operational. This site is the holiest of holies for the Russian space intelligence service. It is equipped with state-of the-art radars and laser range- finders. Officers from the Space Troops carry out round-the-clock surveillance of flying objects in space.

An electronic eye establishes the parameters of foreign spy satellites and monitors their movements. After the data received have been processed, it becomes clear what information foreign intelligence services have obtained. Extra measures to protect sites are usually then taken.

The military experts also deal with emergencies in space, issue warnings about dangerous meteorites and monitor the condition of Russian satellites.

This station is the holiest of holies for the Russian space intelligence service. We are not even allowed to give its location. This is the first time journalists have been let in - and they were correspondents from Ren TV. Watch our exclusive report.

[Correspondent Alevtina Polyakova] Quiet, gentle slopes. Alpine meadows and rivers with crystal-clear water. The hard-to-reach peaks are an ideal place for those who want to hide from prying eyes. About 15 years ago the nameless heights received a space owner. The old shepherd's hut now looks like the ruins of a vanished civilization.

The Space Troops duty shift only learns its task for the day after it has been formed. The only way to the top is along a 30-km concrete road laid from the military barracks at the foot of the mountains. Every 15 minutes we have to make a stop in order to adjust to the altitude.

[Female voice in lorry, possibly correspondent] They say that there isn't enough oxygen at the top.

[Unidentified soldier] It's more beautiful there. The nature is more impressive.

[Female voice] Does it make you dizzy?

[Unidentified soldier] No. Our boys are very strong.

[Correspondent] At an altitude of 1,300 m., a radar works round the clock. The huge object weighing several tonnes looks like a giant flower on a concrete stem. It reproduces the flight trajectory of objects in space with exact precision.

You can see here how military experts follow the orbit of a foreign spy satellite. It was detected at a height over several hundred kilometres. At the same time an electronic screen at the command and computing post springs to life. The columns of figures on computer screens are the encoded parameters of the orbiting alien.

The data received are processed and entered into an electronic space catalogue, which is a national treasure. It now includes 9,000 objects. Only the USA has a similar catalogue.

People in the military say that it is now very cramped in space: everyone is nose to nose with each other. Satellites flying on intersecting paths have to be diverted away from each other in time. A lot of rubbish has also built up in space: final stages of rockets and booster. The most treacherous of the uninvited guests are meteorites. It is important to provide advance warning of all dangerous close encounters.

[Aleksandr Gavrilenko, commander of unit] Analysts distinguish between different kinds of emergencies in space: close encounters between satellites, emergencies on satellites, satellites catching fire, right down to their entry into the dense atmosphere and falling to earth. One element of our work is processing this information and passing it on to a relevant agency.

[Correspondent] They always monitor other people's satellites very carefully and in a discrete manner. The destruction of another country's satellite would mean the start of a war. It is no different to shooting down an aircraft or sinking a naval vessel. Matters have never gone as far as star wars, but it is important for space powers it is a question of honour to know what equipment is in space and what information is being obtained. After all, when a satellite is launched, no-one gives any details of its capabilities. The invention of laser locators allowed high-definition images to be obtained from space.

The giant laser [Russ: giperboloid] was thought up by science fiction writers in the 20th century. In the 21st century it was ordered by the military and made reality. It is located under this red dome but we can no show it to you in action as it is top secret. The laser is only turned on at night and just for a few minutes. At a height of several hundred kilometres it works as a kind of giant camera flash. Unfortunately, no-one on earth will ever see this laser show.

A lack of money meant that the for a long time the equipment could not be made fully operational. Even know it is only functioning in a restricted mode. This year the complex will be put on combat duty.

Those people who serve on the high platform receive a 20-per- cent bonus to their pay. Of course, the so-called mountain payments do not cause any discord, but the military says that in this instance pay should not be determined by altitude.

[Vladimir Petrov, commander of subunit] We serve at a height of 2,300 m. and are affected by pressure. There are many cases of high blood pressure that are treated in hospitals at the bottom. you could say that the doctors compensate us.

[Correspondent] The military call this place the Switzerland of the Caucasus. For everyone else, the space foothills seem mysterious: they are not found on any maps. When data arrives from this complex, it is said to have arrived from Maritime Territory.

[Video shows troops at base, troops in vehicle, commanders talking about work, monitoring station buildings and equipment, soldiers working at computers, giant screen, computer-generated diagrams]

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