During the Cold War years, both superpowers developed their space-based capabilities or, in other words, enhanced their ability of making the most of space, which culminated in a new kind of challenge.

Soon after the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) placed into orbit the Sputnik 1 satellite, both the USSR and the United States (USA) went to great lengths to develop satellites particularly for military purposes. Various satellites were built and put into orbit for military communication, reconnaissance and intelligence purposes. Among the foremost missions of reconnaissance and intelligence satellites were detecting missiles with nuclear warheads, finding the location of strategic bases and facilities, as well as gathering information about the whereabouts of strategic nuclear forces plus activities performed in these places.