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Program 505
American military anti-satellite system. Operational 1962 to 1966. America's first ASAT system was Program 505, which used prototype Nike Zeus DM-15S anti-ballistic missiles, operated from Kwajalein Atoll by the U.S. Army.

Status: Operational 1962.

US Secretary of Defense McNamara approved the US Army request to proceed with development, under the code-name Mudflap, in May 1962. The extended range Nike Zeus was first tested in ASAT mode from White Sands against a point in space in December 1962. After several tests with good results, McNamara authorized the Army to complete the ASAT facility at Kwajalein Atoll, including storage of the system's nuclear warheads. The system remained operational until May 1966. Nike Zeus could reach satellites up to 560 km altitude, using its 1 megaton nuclear warhead to destroy them. It was replaced by the Program 437 ASAT.



Family: anti-satellite. Country: USA. Launch Vehicles: Nike Zeus. Agency: USAF, Douglas. Bibliography: 400, 433, 6801.

1962 May - .
1962 December - .
1966 May - .

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