REQUEST FOR PROJECT COVERAGE OF TYURA TAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP61S00750A000500040058-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 27, 2013
• Sequence Number: 58
• Publication Date: October 31, 1958
• Content Type: MF

Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved forRelease2013/08/28 : CIA-RDP61500750A000500040058-8
TOP SECRET
Noe
3 1 OCT 1958
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chairman, Ad. Hoc Requirements Committee
SUBJECT Request for Project Coverage of TYURA TAM
1. Amost urgent problem faced by the intelligence community
is the threat implied by the Soviet ICBM and the requirement for
accurately estimating future Soviet missile.space developments.
Ideally, the best method open for assessing the missile threat would
be provided through the observation of an operational ICBM site.
Inaamudh as this circumstance is not likely to occur in the near
future, the next best method, namely, periodic photo-surveillance of
the missile test programs and facilities, should, be used to full
advantage. Therefore, we feel that a request for new coverage of the
TUI Missile Test Range and associated facilities is justified.
2. AAsecdtbd coverage of MUM TAM, we feel, could produce
information of great importance to the intelligence community.
Information obtained could:
a. Provide the basis for more accurate estimates of the
threat presented by Soviet ICBM to the national security
of the United States.
b. Permit timely assessments of the future trends of the
Soviet missile-space program.
c. Assist in directing future intelligence collection vis a vie
the Soviet missile program.
d* Determine the operational missile concepts employed by
Soviets in the deployment of the ICBM.
e. Provide the configuration of the Soviet ICBM or space
vehicles. Technical evaluation of the configuration
should result in filling many of the major intelligence
gaps existing on the Soviet ICBM-space program, i.e.,
fuels, staging, and. propulsion.
f. Provide data for the analysis of the 950-1050 nm impact
areas of the KAPUSTIN YAR Missile Test Range which Should
result in firm accuracy estimates for the Soviet Short-
range ballistic missiles.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/28: CIA-RDP61500750A000500040058-8
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/28: CIA-RDP61500750A000500040058-8
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7. The missile instrumentation sites on the attadhed chart have
been isolated within the past year. These sites are associated with
all three missile test ranges. It is our opinion that good coverage
of these facilities would permit us to determine the probable functions
and programs carried out at these facilities. In the previous Project
coverage only the TYURA TAM launch site and the nearest down,..range
instrumentation site were photographed..
8. It is obvious that optimum benefit could. be obtained by coverage
at a time When the missile or space vehicle would be in place on the
launch pad. We feel that chances are good that preliminary indications
of intent to launch at a given time on a given day can be forecast
within four to six: hours if closely tied in with good field reporting.
9. It is recommended that for the maxims requirement a flight path
corresponding to the black line on the attached chart be followed and
for the minimum requirement the red line course. In passing the TYURA TAM
launch pad, and of course a morning flight is essential to this, it
is important to fly just to the East, in a South to North direction,
to Obtain optimum coverage of the pit and missile if one should be in
place. We request that the largest reliable configuration be utilized
and that System VI also be employed.
10. We have herein stated our reasons for the coverage of the
MUM. TAM range and associated areas and include also, as Annex: A,
a list of 33 bonus targets Which could. be covered. by the proposed
=dm= (b fii.t at fie tion for
coverage of
Attachments: (3)
Distribution:
Cys 1 & 2 - fwd
3 . 6.. 061
Regular ARC distribution
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/28: CIA-RDP61500750A000500040058-8
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