As the other major spacefaring nation, the Soviet Union is a subject of interest to the Congress in their deliberations concerning the future of U.S. space activities. In the course of an assessment of Civilian Space Stations (in 1983), the Office of Tech. Assessment (OTA) undertook a study of the presence of Soviets in space & their Salyut space stations. The major element in this technical memorandum was a workshop held at OTA in Dec. 1982: it was the first occasion when a significant number of experts in this area of Soviet space activities had met for extended unclassified discussion. As a result of the workshop, OTA prepared this report. Includes ¿Graphic Comparison of Soviet & U.S. Space Vehicles.¿ Illustrations.

CONTENTS Introduction Executive Summary Early Soviet Manned Spaceflight Pre-Salyut Soyuz Space Flights Salyut Space Station Characteristics Salyut Activities Future Directions Impact on Foreign Policy Conclusion Postscript General References Appendix A: The Soviet Salyut Space Program: Space Station, Spacecraft, Support and Training Facilities Appendix B: Soviet Space Stations: Achievements, Trends and Outlook Appendix C: OTA Workshop on Soviet Space Station Activities