On September 13, 1985, the U.S. Air Force achieved a groundbreaking feat by firing the first missile ever launched from an aircraft to strike a satellite in orbit. This demonstration represented a pivotal moment in the Cold War “Space Race,” providing the United States with a clear strategic advantage over the Soviet Union. The mission also set pilot Wilbert “Doug” Pearson apart, as he earned the rare honor of being the only airman in history to bring down a target in space.
The Space Race created fears of nuclear-armed satellites
During the Space Race, the Soviet Union developed a robust program capable of placing very small reconnaissance satellites into orbit, to keep track of the whereabouts of US military forces. Despite America being ahead of the Soviets in terms of defense, the country’s government was intimidated by these small satellites, as they nearly completely destroyed the element of surprise when it came to military attacks.
Fears that the Soviet Union would soon place nuclear-armed satellites into orbit caused the US government to begin its own program targeted at destroying Soviet satellites. These fears arose as early as the launch of Sputnik 1 in October 1957, but it would take several decades before an adequate plan was put in place, though many attempts were made.
The need for an anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons program
The U.S. created the Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Mission Development and Test Program to guard against the possibility of Soviet satellites carrying nuclear weapons. At the same time, Moscow feared that Washington might secure a decisive edge in the arms race, prompting both sides to develop ASAT weapons in parallel.
With the effort tied directly to the Space Race, speed became a top priority. “Our program was tasked with building a weapon system that could act quickly, strike with precision, and adapt to different targets. That’s what pushed us toward an air-launched design,” explained Wilbert Pearson, who would eventually make history with the first successful air-to-space intercept.
Launched in 1982, the project advanced rapidly, and by 1985 its test mission achieved a milestone that would be remembered for decades.
Details of Wilbert Pearson’s historic flight
Wilbert Pearson accomplished the historic flight, earning him the title of “ace.” Piloting the McDonnell Douglas F-15A Celestial Eagle, he embarked on the mission to test the ASM-135 ASAT. Starting from Edwards Air Force Base, California, Pearson set course towards the satellite designated for elimination: P78-1, AKA Solwind.
The P78-1 (Solwind) satellite had been launched on February 24, 1979. After several years in orbit, its batteries were running low. By the time of Pearson’s historic flight, the satellite was scheduled to be terminated and chosen as the target for the ASAT test.
Before the test, two preliminary trials were done to verify the reality of an air-to-space strike. The first assessed whether the missile could detach from the jet and reach the necessary altitude, while the second targeted a star to test its aiming accuracy.
The benefits of the McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagle
Choosing the right aircraft was critical for this time-sensitive mission. It ultimately came down to the F-15 Eagle. “The F-15 was a real racehorse,” explained Pearson. “We could fly supersonic and we could maneuver it to be in the right kind of a climb, and we could integrate all the required systems into the airplane to communicate with the missile. It could physically hold the ASAT weapon. It was a very large missile so it needed a big enough airplane.”
He further explained how “an F-16 didn’t have the ground clearance; you couldn’t put the missile on the centerline of the airplane and take off with it without hitting the ground. We could take operational F-15A airplanes and with fairly minimal modifications turn those into ASAT-killer airplanes.”
Wilbert Pearson makes the hit
After takeoff, Wilbert Pearson spent three hours climbing to an altitude of 30,000 feet. Activating the afterburners of his F-15A Eagle, he accelerated to Mach 1.3 and maneuvered the aircraft into a steep 60-degree climb. Slowing to Mach 0.96, he prepared for the missile launch as the countdown began. At zero, he pressed the “pickle button” to release the ASM-135 ASAT missile, sending it hurtling toward the P78-1 (Solwind) satellite.
Recalling the experience, Pearson remarked, “it was just a beautiful sight to see the missile suspended there and the flame come out of the rocket motor. And then it took off like a bandit.” However, he had no way to visually confirm the missile’s success. Instead, he relied on a prearranged code with a control room operator to determine the outcome of the test.
When Pearson contacted the control room, no code was needed to confirm the missile’s success. As soon as the mic activated, he was met with a chorus of cheering and celebration on the other end, announcing that the test was a triumph. For the first time in history, a satellite had been destroyed in space by an aircraft.
The ASAT program ends
The successful test had a big impact. The Soviet Union perceived it as evidence of America’s capability to target and obliterate satellites in orbit. However, they were unaware of the effort and dedication that had gone into the program. For the Soviets, it probably appeared to be a simple task for the US Air Force.
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The significant test produced 285 pieces of debris that were sent toward Earth, but it took nearly 19 years for all of it to re-enter the atmosphere. The uncertainty surrounding debris from missile-satellite collisions raised concerns about the program’s long-term viability. Unfortunately, the US Congress withdrew funding, and House-Senate negotiators agreed to prohibit ASAT testing in exchange for chemical weapons production.