On October 4, Russia marks the anniversary of the Space Forces established to ensure the security of Russia in space. On this day 59 years ago the first-ever artificial satellite was launched into space from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Preparation, launch and management of the flight was carried out by military formations that later became the basis of the modern Russian Space Forces, established in 1992 following the breakup of the Soviet Union.
Since then, the branch dissolved twice under military reorganizations: in 1997 and in 2011. On August 1, 2015, the Russian Space Forces were reestablished and are now the part of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
A copy of the first artificial satellite launched by the USSR on October 4, 1957.
The Baikonur Cosmodrome, where the first-ever artificial satellite was launched in 1957.
Russia’s heavy-lift Angara-A5 rocket before its first orbital launch at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Arkhangelsk Region.
The Soyuz 2.1a rocket launcher with the Fregat stage and six Globastar-2 satellites at the LC-31 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
Launcher for the anti-aircraft missile S-400 "Triumph" system complex of the 210th Red Star Order anti-aircraft missile regiment which guards the air borders in Moscow and central industrial regions of Russia.
Russian Aerospace Defense Forces' Su-30SM fighter takes off from the Hmeymim airbase in the Syrian province of Latakia.
Night launch of S-400 Triumf missiles from an anti-aircraft weapon system at Ashuluk proving grounds during an Aerospace Defence Forces tactical drill. The Astrakhan region.
Preparing to fire an S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile at the Ashuluk proving grounds during an Aerospace Defence Forces tactical drill.
A Russian Aerospace Defense Force jet bombs Islamic State facilities in Syria (video screenshots).
Soldier of the 4th Brigade Air Defense (NORAD) air and space defense forces (ASD) during the deployment of the Launcher antiaircraft missile system S-400 "Triumph" at a site in the Moscow region.
Soldier of the 4th Brigade Air Defense (NORAD) air and space defense forces (ASD) in the combat control room in the Moscow region.
An S-400 surface-to-air missile [SAM] system serving with the Guards Order of the Red Banner Aerospace Defense Missile Regiment.
