COMSAT GROUND STATION TAPASTE, CUBA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-01074R000300210004-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 14, 2009
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: September 24, 1973
• Content Type: MISC

Approved For Release 2009/04/14: CIA-RDP83-01074R000300210004-1
MISSION GA 010, 19 SEPTEMBER 1973
Approved For Release 2009/04/14: CIA-RDP83-01074R000300210004-1
COMSAT GROUND STATION
TAPASTE, CUBA
23-02N 082-04W
NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION CENTER
 Approved For Release 2009/04/14: CIA-RDP83-01074R000300210004-1
SECRET
(c) NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION CENTER
Attachment to N- 8316/73
24 September 1973
Page 1 of
Copy
REFERENCE TO: OLYMPIC FIRE MISSION GAO10,
COMSAT GROUND STATION
TAPASTE, CUBA
1. SIGNIFICANCE: A LARGE DISH ANTENNA HAS BEEN PLACED ON A
PEDESTAL AT THE COMSAT GROUND STATION.
2. LOCATION:
JARUCO AT 23-02-14N 082-04-45W.
TAPASTE COMSAT GROUND STATION IS 16 NAUTICAL
MILES (NM) SOUTHEAST OF HAVANA, 3 NM EAST-
NORTHEAST OF TAPASTE, AND 3.5 NM WEST OF
THE SOVIET DEPUTY MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS,
IN AN INTERVIEW GIVING GENERAL INFORMATION ON
THE MOLNIYA SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM,
MADE REFERENCE TO THE FACT THAT ORBITA GROUND
STATIONS ARE BEING CONSTRUCTED IN EAST GERMANY,
CZECHOSLOVAKIA, AND CUBA. (RADIO- SOVIET JOUR-
NAL, NO. 6, 1973, UNCLASSIFIED).
THE MOLNIYA SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM IS
A PART OF "INTERSPUTNIK", AN ORGANIZATION
These notes have been prepared for briefing purposes only and should not be used for detailed analytical work. Their use
should be restricted to the particular briefing boards (s) they were prepared for and must be considered valid only for the re-
porting period as indicated by the date of issue. For information concerning these notes contact Chief, Imagery Exploitation
Group NPIC.
WARNING NOTICE
Sensitive Intelligence Sources
and Methods Involved.
SECRET
Approved For Release 2009/04/14: CIA-RDP83-01074R000300210004-1
 Approved For Release 2009/04/14: CIA-RDP83-01074R000300210004-1
SECRET
(c) NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION CENTER
Attachment to N- 8316/73
24 September 1973
Page 2 of3
4. NEGATION DATE:
COMPOSED ON NINE SOCIALIST COUNTRIES INCLUDING
CUBA. THE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO
CREATE JOINT SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS LINKS
FOR RADIO, TELEVISION, TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH.
THE MOLNIYA SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
CONSISTS OF SEVERAL SIMULTANEOUSLY OPERATING
SATELLITES. ON THE GROUND THERE IS AN EXTEN-
SIVE NETWORK OF ORBITA RECEIVING AND RECEIVING-
TRANSMITTING STATIONS. (RADIOTEKHNIKA, 1972,
MOSCOW, UNCLASSIFIED).
5. DIMENSIONS/
SPECIFICATIONS: MEASURED DIAMETER OF THE ANTENNA DISH IS
THE INCLINATION ANGLE
ACCURACY OF MENSUR-
ATION IS WITHIN A 95% CONFIDENCE INTERVAL.
These notes have been prepared for briefing purposes only and should not be used for detailed analytical work. Their use
should be restricted to the particular briefing boards (s) they were prepared for and must be considered valid only for the re-
porting period as indicated by the date of issue. For information concerning these notes contact Chief, Imagery Exploitation
Group NPIC.
SECRET
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2009/04/14: CIA-RDP83-01074R000300210004-1
 Approved For Release 2009/04/14: CIA-RDP83-01074R000300210004-1
SECRET
(c) NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION CENTER
Attachment to N- 8316/73
24 September 1973
Page3_of 3
6. MISSION READOUT: CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY WAS CONTINUING ON
THE COMSAT GROUND STATION. A LARGE CIRCULAR DISH ANTENNA WAS OBSERVED
ON A PEDESTAL AT THE TOP OF THE CONTROL BUILDING. A CRANE WAS ADJACENT
TO THE CONTROL BUILDING.
ENLARGEMENT FACTOR: 100X
INSET FROM SOVIET JOURNAL, RADIO, NO. 6, 1973, UNCLASSIFIED
IEG/ SGD/AMEAB
COMMENTS AND QUERIES REGARDING THIS REPORT ARE WELCOMED. THEY MAY BE
OF SGD/IEG/NP.IC, CODE 143,
These notes have been prepared for briefing purposes only and should not be used for detailed analytical work. Their use
should be restricted to the particular briefing boards (s) they were prepared for and must be considered valid only for the re-
porting period as indicated by the date of issue. For information concerning these notes contact Chief, Imagery Exploitation
Group NPIC.
SECRET
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2009/04/14: CIA-RDP83-01074R000300210004-1