The Spiral’s primary mission, had it made it beyond the test stage, would have been a combination of reconnaissance and anti-satellite (ASAT) warfare.
The MiG-105 “Spiral” was a product of the height of the Cold War, during a time in which the United States and Soviet Union not only vied for dominance on Earth, but in the strategic high ground of space as well. The early 1960s saw a litany of advances in spaceflight, as well as the militarization of space. And the MiG-105 was the Soviet foray into militarized spaceflight operations.
In the early 1960s, the United States had launched the X-20 Dyna-Soar (Dynamic Soaring) program, an ambitious effort to develop a manned, reusable spaceplane capable of orbital missions and atmospheric reentry. Alarmed by this development, the Soviet military sought to develop a countermeasure—a vehicle that could match or exceed the X-20’s capabilities, while serving as a multi-role platform for reconnaissance, satellite interception, and even space-based strikes.
The MiG-105’s History & Design
In 1965, the Soviet Air Force tasked the Mikoyan design bureau with crafting this revolutionary craft under the leadership of chief Soviet designer Gleb Lozino-Lozinsky. The Spiral Project aimed to create a small, piloted spaceplane that could be launched atop a booster, perform missions in low-Earth Orbit (LEO), and return to land like an aircraft.
Unlike NASA’s space shuttle, fundamentally built for scientific rather than military purposes, the MiG-105 Spiral was envisioned as a compact, agile system—more akin to a space fighter than a cargo hauler. The program reflected an emphasis by the Soviets on military applications of space technology, driven by fears of American orbital dominance.
The MiG-105 represented a radical departure from traditional spacecraft. The spaceplane consisted of two main components: the orbital vehicle itself and a hypersonic booster, known as the “50-50,” which would propel it into space. After reaching orbit, the MiG-105 would detach from the booster, perform its mission, and then reenter the atmosphere to land on a conventional runway.
One of the MiG-105’s most unique features was its aerodynamic configuration. Unlike the blunt, capsule-like shapes of early spacecraft—think the Apollo or Vostok modules of America and the Soviet Union, respectively—the MiG-105 had a lifting-body design with variable-geometry wings. These wings could fold upward during launch to reduce drag and heat exposure, then deploy downward for reentry and landing, enhancing stability and control. This adaptability made Spiral a hybrid of spacecraft and aircraft, capable of gliding back to Earth with precision.
To withstand the immense heat of reentry, the MiG-105 was clad in advanced thermal protection materials, including heat-resistant alloys and ceramic tiles—technologies that foreshadowed those used on later spacecraft like the Soviet Union’s Buran space shuttle. Its propulsion in orbit relied on small thrusters for maneuvering, while the initial ascent depended on the expendable booster, powered by liquid-fueled rockets capable of reaching speeds exceeding Mach 6.
A single pilot flew the MiG-105, which was to be equipped with a pressurized cockpit and life-support system for missions lasting up to several hours. Its payload bay could house cameras, sensors, or small weapons, depending on the mission—whether it be reconnaissance, satellite inspection, or, yes, combat). At just 10 tons fully loaded, the MiG-105 was lightweight compared to later spaceplanes, reflecting its focus on agility and rapid deployment.
The Development of MiG-105
Development of the MiG-105 progressed through the late 1960s and early 1970s, culminating in the construction of a suborbital test vehicle, the MiG-105-11. This prototype, affectionately dubbed “Lapot” (Russian for “Slipper,” due to its shape), was built to validate the spaceplane’s aerodynamic properties and reentry characteristics. Unlike the full Spiral system, the MiG-105-11 was not intended for spaceflight but for atmospheric drop tests.
Between 1976 and 1978, the Soviet Union conducted a series of test flights. The MiG-105-11 was carried aloft by a Tu-95 bomber, released at a high altitude, and allowed to glide back to Earth. These tests, conducted at the Gromov Flight Research Institute, demonstrated the vehicle’s stability and landing capabilities. On October 11, 1976, the first manned drop test occurred, with test pilot Aviard Fastovets successfully gliding the bird to a runway landing.
Subsequent flights refined the design, proving that a piloted spaceplane could transition from orbit to Earth safely.
The Spiral’s primary mission, had it made it beyond the test stage, would have been a combination of reconnaissance and anti-satellite (ASAT) warfare. Not only could this spaceplane inspect enemy satellites in orbit or disable other enemy spacecraft, but it could knock enemy satellites—which were becoming integral in military affairs—out of the sky either with missiles or, theoretically, lasers (although these were never developed).
The Soviet Plans for a Space War
Spiral’s launch system added to its strategic appeal for the Soviets. The hypersonic booster could be deployed from existing airbases, and the spaceplane’s ability to land like an airplane offered operational flexibility unmatched by capsule-based systems. In theory, a fleet of MiG-105s could provide the USSR with a reusable, responsive space force.
Indeed, this system was not the only component of the Soviet’s advanced military space program. There were systems, such as the Almaz military space stations that were under active development, too.
Further, the Soviets were interested in their own Strategic Defense Initiative-style space-based missile defense system. Some have speculated that the Buran Space Shuttle was part of that effort, as the Soviets envisaged being able to deploy laser weapons in orbit aboard the Buran shuttles meant to shoot down incoming American nuclear-armed ballistic missiles.
Ultimately, the great dream of advanced space warfare in the Cold War never came to be. But the MiG-105 demonstrates how close the world came to such a reality. America’s decision to cancel its Dyna-Soar program in 1963 reduced the perceived urgency in the minds of Soviet war planners, while the Soviet leadership shifted its focus to other priorities, including the Energia-Buran Program. Budget constraints, technological hurdles—notably with the hypersonic booster—and bureaucratic infighting further eroded support for the MiG-105 Spiral, and Moscow officially terminated the platform in 1978. The MiG-105-11 drop prototype can be viewed at the Central Air Force Museum in Monino, Russia.
What Might Have Been Can Be Again…
While the space war never came in the Cold War era, today, the American, Russian, and Chinese militaries are all rapidly developing space warfare capabilities. The lessons learned from Cold War-era programs like the MiG-105 have undoubtedly been worked into current designs for space warfare today.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / meoita.
