Rakettikokeet

Rakettikokeet, which translates to "rocket experiments" or "rocket tests" in Finnish, is a system of a re-entry vehicle for the SS-20 intermediate ballistic missile designed by the Soviet Union. The Rakettikokeet system was a variant of the RDS-10 (RS-20) rocket, a nuclear-capable Soviet intercontinental ballistic missile.

Developed in the 1970s, the Rakettikokeet vehicle featured a miniaturized re-entry vehicle (MARV) with four small rocket nozzles. The purpose of the Rakettikokeet system was to test new Soviet missile technology, including the re-entry vehicle and its guidance system. The experiments were carried out with the goal of improving the accuracy and survivability of Soviet ICBMs.

The Rakettikokeet system's miniaturized re-entry vehicle was originally designed to carry a nuclear payload, but the payload was later replaced with mock-up warheads and decoy targets. This allowed Soviet scientists to test the re-entry vehicle's performance and gather data on its re-entry and post-re-entry phases. Tests were conducted using the SS-20 missile, which was a key component of the Soviet Union's strategic offensive forces during the Cold War.

Rakettikokeet experiments were a critical part of Soviet nuclear force modernization efforts, providing valuable insights into the development of the Soviet ICBM program. The project's focus on re-entry vehicle technology paved the way for improvements in the Soviet Union's nuclear deterrence capabilities. Although the SS-20 missile was eventually deployed and a major focus of NATO-Warsaw Pact relations, details about the Rakettikokeet experiments remain relatively scarce due to the classified nature of Soviet military research and development.