A large radio telescope in Crimea, with a history of deep space exploration and searching for extraterrestrial signals, has been disabled in a Ukrainian drone strike. The operation targeted the facility to prevent its use by the Russian military for satellite navigation and communications, according to Ukrainian defense sources.
Key Takeaways
- The 70-meter RT-70 radio telescope near Yevpatoria, Crimea, was damaged in a drone attack in late August.
- Russian forces reportedly used the facility to improve the accuracy of the GLONASS satellite navigation system.
- The telescope was a key part of the Soviet Deep Space Network and was later used to send messages to distant star systems.
- The strike targeted a critical 200-kilowatt radio receiver, which is considered difficult to replace.
Strategic Disablement of a Dual-Use Asset
In late August, Ukrainian forces conducted a drone operation against the RT-70 radio telescope, a significant scientific instrument under Russian control since the 2014 annexation of Crimea. The primary objective was to neutralize its military capabilities. Russian forces had repurposed the massive structure for defense purposes.
According to reports from Defense Express, the 5,000-metric-ton telescope was integrated into Russia's military infrastructure. It served as a powerful antenna to augment the GLONASS satellite navigation system, which is Russia's alternative to the American Global Positioning System (GPS).
GLONASS Accuracy Boost
The use of the RT-70 antenna reportedly increased the positioning accuracy of the GLONASS system by approximately 30%, providing a significant tactical advantage for military operations.
Targeting the Core Component
Footage released from the operation shows a drone striking the heart of the telescope. The specific target was its 200-kilowatt radio receiver. This component is essential for the telescope's function, whether for scientific observation or military communication.
The receiver was a custom-built unit installed during a major upgrade in 2011. Sources suggest that replacing this specialized hardware will be a significant challenge, likely rendering the telescope inoperable for an extended period.
A Storied History in Space Science
Before its military use, the Yevpatoria RT-70 had a distinguished career in astronomy and space exploration. Constructed in the mid-1970s, it was one of three such telescopes that formed the Soviet Deep Space Network, responsible for communicating with probes across the solar system.
The facility played a crucial role in several landmark missions. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Soviet mission controllers used the telescope to communicate with the Venera series of spacecraft, which performed historic landings on Venus.
International Collaboration
In the 2000s, the telescope supported international science. It provided tracking and communication for the European Space Agency's (ESA) Mars Express orbiter and the Rosetta mission, which famously rendezvoused with Comet 67/P Churyumov–Gerasimenko.
Searching for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
The RT-70 was also a prominent tool in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) and messaging to extraterrestrial intelligence (METI). It was used to transmit powerful radio messages toward star systems believed to harbor potentially habitable planets.
Over four separate campaigns, more than 20 message packages were sent from the antenna. One of the most notable transmissions was aimed at an Earth-like planet orbiting the star Gliese 581, located about 20.5 light-years away. That message is projected to arrive at its destination in 2029.
Wider Impact on Scientific Infrastructure
The disablement of the RT-70 is part of a broader pattern of scientific infrastructure being affected by the conflict. Since 2014, Russia has controlled multiple astronomical facilities on the Crimean peninsula, which has historically been a hub for astronomy due to its clear skies and mountainous terrain.
Other notable facilities now under the control of the Russian Academy of Sciences include:
- The Shain Mirror Telescope: The largest optical telescope in Ukraine, featuring a 2.6-meter (7.8-foot) mirror.
- The Simez Observatory: A complex at Crimea's southern tip with optical telescopes, a radio telescope, and laser rangefinders.
Elsewhere in Ukraine, the conflict has caused direct damage. The Giant Ukrainian Radio Telescope in Kharkiv sustained significant harm in 2022. Reports from Orbital Today indicated that instruments and computers were stolen, and the large site was mined during the occupation.
Cost of Damage
A 2024 report from UNESCO estimated the total damage to Ukraine's scientific infrastructure as a result of the war at approximately $1.26 billion. This figure highlights the extensive impact on the country's research and development capabilities.