UFOs and the Soviet State Commission

Summary

This declassified CIA document presents an interview with Yuriy Pavlovich Kiyenko, head of the Soviet State Commission for the launch of Cosmos and Resurs satellites. Published in 1990, the article reveals details about Kiyenko's secretive work, where he coordinated space operations with a strict focus on safety and efficiency. Despite decades of secrecy, Kiyenko claims there have been no fatal accidents in satellite launches and highlights their economic importance for the Soviet Union, especially in mapping, agriculture, and water resource management.

Kiyenko also addresses criticisms about the cost of space programs, defending their economic and environmental value. He explains how satellites help detect ecological issues, such as the Aral Sea crisis, and how their data is crucial for agricultural planning and natural resource exploration. While acknowledging that the use of this technology is still limited, he emphasizes that the Soviet space program is focused on civilian and economic goals, not military ones. Finally, he answers questions about launch safety and environmental impact, assuring that rockets are environmentally safe and that falling debris is a rare, controlled exception.