The CIA Secretly Studied A Soviet Satellite Without The Soviets Ever Realizing!

The Space Race was a remarkable showcase of technological ability, serving as a clear measure of the United States and Soviet Union's dominance. Although the U.S. ultimately came out on top, the USSR had the upper hand in the early stages. In a bid to close the gap, the CIA secretly obtained a Soviet satellite for study, all without the Soviets ever realizing.

Heating up the Space Race

In the hearts and minds of the public and politicians, whoever was winning the Space Race was, in turn, reigning victorious in the Cold War . This competition was sparked by military technology - primarily the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles (IBMs) - and, therefore, represented each respective nation's military prowess.

The Soviets led the way with a string of impressive firsts, such as putting the first satellite ( Sputnik I ), animal ( Laika the dog) and human ( Yuri Gagarin ) in space. The world was in awe, and these achievements made the US look dated in comparison.

Under President Dwight D. Eisenhower , the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was created .

John F. Kennedy was initially ambivalent about the Space Race

John F. Kennedy ultimately replaced Eisenhower as president of the United States and, surprisingly, was rather ambivalent about space exploration. This changed when the Soviets put the first human in space in April 1961. This made JFK understand just how important the Space Race was, resulting in his famous "We choose to go to the Moon" speech in September 1962.

As part of the American effort to catch up, the government brought in all the help it could get from the military, NASA and even the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Hatching a risky plan to gain intelligence

After the Soviets launched Sputnik I in 1957 and Luna 1 two years later, they showcased their technological triumphs globally on a world tour , including a stop in the United States. In retrospect, this might not have been the wisest move.

During the tour, many, including some within the CIA, doubted that the Soviet government would publicly display an authentic Luna satellite. Nevertheless, the agency planned to investigate.

One evening, after the exhibition had closed, plainclothes agents were dispatched to inspect the satellite. The exact time and place of this event remain undisclosed, but it is believed to have occurred in the early 1960s. Upon arrival, the agents were surprised to find that the lone Soviet guard assigned to watch over the satellite was absent. They entered the room and were even more shocked to discover that the craft on display was indeed a genuine Luna satellite.

The team reportedly spent several hours with the satellite, meticulously taking notes and photographs to gather as much information as possible to aid America's space program. They collected a large amount of data and decided to push their luck further.

This time, by looking inside.

Concocting a plan to steal a Soviet satellite

The tour was set to move to another city - Mexico City - so, in typical CIA fashion, agents concocted a Hollywood-like plan to steal the Soviet satellite.

During transportation, security around the satellite was oddly relaxed. After the exhibition closed at each stop, the spacecraft was boxed up and taken by truck to a nearby railway station. Before being loaded, a guard would check the crates due to be delivered to the next location. It was noted the guard never actually checked what was inside each crate and there was no expected time of arrival. This would be where the CIA would strike.

Everything went according to plan

The agents ensured the satellite was on the last truck and tailed it on its way to the railway station. No guards joined the convoy, so they stopped the driver and put him in a hotel overnight. How they did this is unknown. The truck was then driven to a nearby salvage yard and hidden.

At the railway station, the guard checking the crates clocked off without realizing the last truck never arrived. The operation had gone perfectly; the CIA was now in possession of the Soviet satellite and had all night to analyze it.

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From 7:30 PM to 5:00 AM the next morning, agents dismantled the satellite and photographed it in great detail. When they had what they needed - including a close-up look at the Lunik's construction - it was reassembled and placed among the other crates at the railway station. The Soviets never suspected a thing.