CRATERS POSSIBLY INDICATING MISSILE MALFUNCTIONS TYURA TAM MISSILE TEST RANGE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T04751A000300070046-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 7, 2005
• Sequence Number: 46
• Publication Date: November 10, 1959
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved For Release 200501255:WA-R P78T04751A0 0300070046-6
69 JOINT PHOTOGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE BRIEF
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A
ARMY-NAVY-CIA
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(Published and Disseminated by CIA/PIC)
SUBJECT : Craters Possibly Indicating BRIEF NO: PIC/JB-19/59
Missile Malfunctions
LOCATION: Tyura Tam Missile Test Range
PHOTO DATA:
DATE: 10 Nov 59
MAP DATA: US Air Target Chart, Series 200, 0246-13A
REMARKS :
Four crater-like depressions possibly indicative of missile malfunc-
tions have been identified on the of the Tyura Tam 25X1 D
Range Head in a down-range direction from Launch Area "A". One of these
craters was present on the and if in fact resulting from 25X1 D
a missile malfunction, indicates that missiles were being launched from
Tyura Tam prior to None of the craters show evidence of burn
scar. The accompanying drawing shows the locations and azimuths of the
craters with respect to the launching structure at Launch Area "A".
The crater present in 0 approximately 60 feet in diameter, is
located about 4 nm from the launching structure on an approximate azimuth
of It is reached by a trail which leads out to it from the launch
area and appears to have been made solely to reach the crater. The crater
has a precise circular pattern and is ringed by a low earth lip. This is
suggestive of digging, which could have obliterated evidence of any explosion
which may have occurred here. Both the appearance of the crater and the
existence of the trail are indicative of activities of a salvage party.
Two craters 30 and 35 feet in diameter and 175 feet apart are located
approximately 3. 5 nm from the launching structure on an azimuth of about
I A trail, which branches from the trail to the crater discussed
EW by NG ADOD
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PIG/JB-19/59
above, terminates in the general vicinity of these craters. Around the
35-foot crater earth has been thrown out radially as if by an explosion. As
with the 60-foot-diameter crater, a low earth lip circling each crater is
apparent, indicating possible salvage operations.
The fourth crater is an irregularly-shaped depression approximately
75 by 35 feet, possibly caused by two overlapping craters. It is located
about 4. 5 nm from the launching structure and on an approximate azimuth
of 60 degrees. Salvage operations are also evident at this crater. Cloud
cover precludes determining the precise alignment of a part of a trail
leading to this crater.
Approved For Release 2005/12/25 : CIA-R 0300070046-6
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