Interview on Russian Space Units

Summary

In this 1992 Russian television interview, Major General Yuriy Gusev, deputy commander of the Russian Ministry of Defense Space Units, discusses the nature of these forces, clarifying that they are not as mysterious as often portrayed. Gusev explains that space units are involved in a range of tasks such as navigation, cartography, geodesy, and communications, all essential for the military. He also notes that while space programs historically began with military purposes, there is now a growing balance between civilian and military launches.

The conversation touches on the space competition with the United States and the possibility of stealing satellites in orbit, which Gusev considers technically feasible but unlikely. He also addresses the topic of UFOs, stating he does not believe in alien visitations but acknowledges the existence of unexplained phenomena. The interview ends with a tribute to the 35th anniversary of the launch of the first artificial satellite, a historic milestone marking the beginning of the space age.