POSSIBLE ICBM PAYLOAD ACTIVITY AT ABANDONED SPACE LAUNCH SITE B2, TYURATAM MISSILE/SPACE TEST CENTER, USSR (TSR)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05698A000100010089-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 18, 2011
• Sequence Number: 89
• Publication Date: December 1, 1977
• Content Type: REPORT

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NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION CENTER
Summary
Report
POSSIBLE ICBM PAYLOAD ACTIVITY AT
ABANDONED SPACE LAUNCH SITE B2,
TYURATAM MISSILE/SPACE TEST CENTER,
USSR (TSR)
DECEMBER 1977
Copy
SR-088/77
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Warning Notice
Sensitive Intelligence Sources and Methods Involved
(WNINTEL)
NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION
Unauthorized Disclosure Subject to Criminal Sanctions
NOFORN- Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals
NOCONTRACT- Not Releasable to Contractors or
Contractor/Consultants
PROPIN- Caution-Proprietary Information Involved
USIBONLY- USIB Departments Only
ORCON- Dissemination and Extraction of Information
Controlled by Originator
REL. .This Information has been Authorized for
Release to ...
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Top Secret RUFF
POSSIBLE ICBM PAYLOAD ACTIVITY AT ABANDONED SPACE
LAUNCH SITE B2, TYURATAM MISSILE/SPACE TEST CENTER,
USSR (TSR)
(TSR) Possible ICBM payload activity has been observed at abandoned space launch site B2 at
the Tyuratam Missile/Space Test Center (MSTC), USSR, since early 1976, suggesting that this
site has a possible ICBM payload training function. This activity included the construction of five
shallow unidentified silo corings, the presence of several unidentified canisters, dollies and other
pieces of equipment near the silo corings, and the presence of type I and type II warhead vans within
the site security fence (Figures 1 and 2).
(TSR) Four unidentified silo corin s under construction, each faced with concrete shoring
blocks, were first see at launch site B2. Construction was also seen at the
entrance to the old site control bunker. (Later the bunker was converted into a drive-in bunker.) On
12 July another silo coring was under construction and a 66- by 26-meter concrete apron had been
constructed around all five silo corings. Construction on the silo corings was completed in July 1976.
Since that time the openings have been covered with canvas, and no activity has been observed at
the silos.
(TSR) Four of the unidentified silo corings (one in either corner of the paved apron) are each
; the fifth coring in the center of the paved apron is approx-
Mensural analysis of the silos indicates that the five silo
corings are probably no more than 4 meters deep.
(TSR) In December 1976, a 3-meter-high board security fence was partially erected around the
perimeter of the apron. The fence was not completed until August 1977. A smaller, 6-meter-high
board enclosure was erected in June 1977 just inside the paved apron entrance (Figures 2 and 3).
Since this smaller enclosure was erected a truck crane occasionally has been parked inside it.
(TSR) Since August 1977, at least two canisters, a round, unidentified object on a stand,
several dollies, two small crates, and two trucks have been seen on the apron (Figure 3). One
canister is approximately 5 meters long and 3 meters in diameter. The other canister is 3 by 2
meters. The round, unidentified object on a stand is within the 6-meter-high enclosure and is ap-
proximately 2 meters in diameter and 4 meters aboveground. The dollies
have a vertical beam with an attached possible winch mounted on the beam. This
By November, a rectangular shelter (Figure 3) had been
erected along the perimeter board fence. The shelter covers several canisters.
(TSR) Other new construction at the site since May 1976 has included a new road and drive-in
entrance to the old site control bunker (Figure 1), a new roof on the support building, and a new
security fence. The missile-ready bunker was not modified.
(TSR) A type I warhead van, a type II warhead van, a truck crane, and three cargo trucks are
usually seen parked at the vehicle parking apron. Neither type of warhead van has been seen near
the silo corings.
(TSR) There are similarities between the activity at launch site B2 and the activity at warhead
training facilities at deployed ICBM complexes. For example, deployed payload training silos are
usually less than 4 meters deep, only deep enough to accommodate the warhead or payload; the five
unidentified silo corings at launch site B2 are also believed to be less than 4 meters deep. Also,
board fences providing ground-level visual security are found around aprons at warhead storage
bunkers at deployed ICBM complexes; a similar board fence is near the front of the missile ready
bunker at launch site B2.
(TSR) The identification of small canisters, dollies, and other equipment and the presence of
two types of warhead vans at launch site B2 also suggest that the site has an ICBM payload or
warhead training function. However, neither the sizes and spacing of the silo corings nor the size of
the canisters at launch site B2 can be associated with any known missile system.
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