This volume sets out to detail, from the historical and technological perspectives, the fully developed and deployed - 1969-1983 - Soviet 8K69 fractional orbit bombardment system/depressed trajectory intercontinental ballistic missile which will entail a survey of the 8K67 family of intercontinental ballistic missiles from which the 8K69 was developed. The volume also details the rival UR-200, UR-500 and GR-1 orbital missiles complex developments that preceded the 8K69 orbital weapon.
The road, factual and propaganda, that led to the development of the 8K69 orbital weapon complex is detailed as is the missile complex itself, along with the flight test and development program leading to actual deployment of the system. The volume also briefly covers the non-realized concept of the multiple orbital bombardment system and the byproduct of the 8K69 orbital weapon complex that was the Cyclone-2 and Cyclone-3 space launch vehicles.
It should be noted that at varying times throughout the text the weapon systems will be referred to under their Soviet service and or manufacturer designations as well as, at appropriate times, under their NATO designations, the latter of course being accepted by the Soviet Union for use in arms limitations and other treaties.
All technical data concerning the respective weapon systems and their components have been provided by the respective design bureau/offices, as has much of the imagery and graphics with additional impute from United States intelligence agencies and defense department, the space agencies of the Ukraine and the Russian Federation, United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.