MISSILE TEST CENTER, TYURA TAM, USSR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05439A000300100068-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 26, 2000
• Sequence Number: 68
• Publication Date: January 1, 1961
• Content Type: BRIEF

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PIC/JB-1011/61
MISSILE TEST CENTER, TYURA TAM, USSR
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The Tyura Tam Missile Test Center (45-55N 63-20E) is located
in the Kyzyl-Kum Desert, about 65 miles east of the Aral Sea, along the
Aralsk-Tashkent rail line.' The Center conducts all the flight testing of
the Soviet ICBM and space programs, and contains facilities under con-
struction capable of jtraining operational units in firing ICBMs .' The
ICBM test range extends some 3,400 miles to the northeast, where
terminal range facilities have been constructed on the Kamchatka Penin-
sula. Extension of the range is effected through the use of instrumented
ships stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
The Test Center has been covered by aerial photograph
.Each of the last two photographic missions provides evidence of progress
in the development of launching facilities as well as considerable expan-
sion of supporting facilities.
The accompanying drawing shows the location and organization of
major facilities at the Test Center.
The Test Center encompasses about 150 square miles, exclusive of
outlying range instrumentation facilities. It consists of a Range Head,
with three separate launch complexes; and a SupportBase, \ ith extensive
logistical and administrative support facilities. A 3, 950-foot-airfield is
located in the Support Base.
Launch Complex "A", 15 miles north of the Support Base, was the
first operational launching com lex at T -ura Tam. Construction of this
Complex probably began in and was completed by the
time of the -photography. The Complex contains a massive concrete
rail-served launching platform 135 feet square located at the lip of a
pear-shaped pit which is 880 feet long, 550 feet wide, and- deep.
The launch area
appears capable of conducting hold-down static engine firings.- Launch
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LAUNCH COMPLEX B
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WATER TREATMENT FACILITIES
MAIN POWER PLANT
ADMINISTRATION AND HOUSING AREA
COMMUNICATION AREA D
TYURA TAM MISSILE TEST CENTER. Black denotes facilities present in
INSTRUMENTATION
% tPERSONNEL AND
"O STORAGE AREA
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 the la-c_nch support area at Launch Complex "A" contains two large
industrial-type buildings for the final assembly and checkout of missiles
and upper staging: as well as laborator-,~7__facilities . an instrumentation
control center; and a personnel and housing area. A ring of instrumen-
tation sites surrounds the Launch Complex. - Other sites: up to 70 miles
from the complex, provide additional Range Head instrumentation.
about 50 Percent complete. It appears similar to Launch Complex 'ti
many respects. When completed. it will also contain a'massive rail
served launching structure, a large nit: and a buried control bunker.
The major differences between Launch Complexes P1A" and "B"
that whereas Complex "A" nas two assembl - and checkout facilities;
Complex "B" has only one, and Comple2c "B" has no instrumentation
associated with it.
While the la:.n_ch area at Complex "A?' is
oriented east-west, the launch area at Complex_ "B" is oriented generally
north;rest-southeast.
Construction estimates indicate that La,.nch Complex "B" required
about 24 months to complete and was probably operational by
On the photograph- the Test Center was largely- cloud-
covered; the launch areas of both Launch Complexes "A" and "B" were
completely obscured by clouds. However, breaks in the clouds 4 miles
east of Launch Complex "B" revealed a highly significant new item:
Launch Complex "C", a facility radicall;, different from either Launch
Complex "A" or "B". , When it is completed (estimated to be earl, in=
the Complex will contain two road- served soft launch pads and a rail-
 The Terminal Ran e Facilities on the Kamchatka Peninsula were
photographed in hey include a pattern of interfer-
ometer-type instrumentation sites capable of providing accurate terminal
range measurement data on re-entry vehicles, and also possibly capable
of providing re-entry data in support of the Soviet antimissile program.
All the facilities at the Tyura Tam Missile Test Center and the
Terminal Range Facilities are currently the subject of a detailed photo-
analysis and will be described in full in a comprehensive report planned
for later publication.
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.ACIC_ US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheet 0132-14A, 1st ed,
May59 (S)
ACIC. US Air Target Chart, Series ZOO, Sheet 0132-19A, 1st ed,
May 59 (S)
ACIC. US Air Target Chart, Series ZOO, Sheet 0132-24A, 1st ed,
Oct 58 (S)
ACIC. US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheet 0246-13A, 2d ed,
Dec 59 (S)
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 SECRET
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PIC/JB-1011/61
April 1961
MISSILE TEST CENTER
TYURA TAM, USSR
Published and Disseminated by
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
PHOTOGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE CENTER
SECRET
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