In 1987, the payload for the first launch of the Energia was packed with Soviet space weapon prototypes.

Just read an article by Jim Oberg in the National Space Society magazine "Ad Astra," but that version isn't online. Jim pointed me to another article on this subject here.

In illuminating detail, Lantratov chronicles how the payload was thrown together from components of two orbital battle stations already in development. One, the Skif, was to carry a carbon dioxide laser; the other, the Kaskad (as in a "cascade" of rocks) was to carry kinetic kill warheads.

Aiming, stabilization, and power systems were installed inside a hollow Buran fuselage, along with a target dispenser for tracking tests. A special space station module was bolted on the front to maneuver the payload in space. These payloads had been in development since the late 1970s, along with a space shuttle system specifically tasked to service the fleet of orbiting weapons platforms.

The Ad Astra article said the Kaskad weapon was for ground targets.

Lest anyone think this was a response to Reagan's "Star Wars" initiatives: as the article says, all of these designs had been under development and construction before Reagan was even in office.

While the Enlightened of the world were bashing Reagan for talking about weaponizing space, the Soviets were doing it in front of everyone, and joining in the bashing to boot.

Incidentally, if anyone believes Gorbachev was "shocked, shocked!" that the USSR was building space weapons, I've got a bridge to sell you. That's just my personal opinion.