Back to history details, the first satellite was lifted into orbit from the MOD's 5th test site, later worldwide-known as Baikonur. The first ever SV, a full-sphere less than 60 cm in diameter weighing slightly over 80 kg, had a 92-day life on the orbit, enough to cover the distance of 60 mln km. Since that time, over 24K space crafts, including approximately 5K satellites, have flown in space according to related official records. Low-earth satellites currently looping the planet belong to a total of 50 nations with Russia among them retaining the title of satellite and space pioneer.

As a part of preparations for the first space launch Soviet defence authorities established the first spaceflight-oriented military formations in late 1950s gradually strengthening the structure of the nascent forces.

Established on 24 March 2001, the Russian Space Forces succeeded the then space defence formations integrated into Strategic Missile Branch of the Armed Forces with the role of ensuring national space defence. The new branch incorporated SV launch-and-control and missile defence task forces and compounds, specialized colleges.

On 1 June 2001, the Space Force HQ and Control Centre assumed command over subordinate forces and assets and presented to the duties.

As active space explorations witnesses to the powerful national economy and advanced technology space flights, therefore, have become vital for the world's leading powers asserting their interests around and beyond the globe. Abundant opportunities for economy and defence development through space missions back the trend of broadening the scope of space explorations in favour of national science, economy and defence. As the space rivalry among nations of the world is growing its participants become concerned about defending their space influence and achievements.

The modern warfare strategy, tactics and technology are inseparably linked to universal space capacities, particularly, vital for gaining informational superiority over one's enemy. Space data is normally employed by high-precision strike systems and rapid response forces largely contributing to overall defence capacity. With the increasing number of SVs on duty the space defence systems are evolving into a major military power.

Created in the light of the world's cutting-edge space trends Russian Space Forces hit the mark as an effective well-adjusted tool of ensuring space defence and coordinating space explorations. It became a benchmark of the Russian space endeavours.

Currently responsible for missile attack early warning, anti-missile defence, spaceflight control, SV deployment, maintenance and management Space Force was a reasonably motivated effort in the framework of the ongoing defence transformation reflecting the key role of space security.

Since the first liftoff to the present day, spaceflights have largely contributed to the national defence capacity while the Space Forces service and civil personnel have played a sufficient role both in peaceful space explorations and defence spacecraft development.

Russian Space Forces are involved into national defence and federal civil space programmes. Cooperating with related think-tanks and defence industry it intensifies the progress in spacecraft and weaponry system technology.

Day of the Space Forces celebrated in Russia on 4 October since 2002 according to the President's Decree commemorates the milestone of the space exploration and space defence age - the first satellite launched into space on this day in 1957.