TYURATAM MISSILE TEST CENTER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
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• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 1, 2001
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• Publication Date: February 1, 1969
• Content Type: REPORT

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TCS-24093/68
.I r tatio Report
NATIONAL
PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION
CENTER
cradle via TALI+Tl control only
TYURATAM MISSILE TEST CENTER
MISSILE RANGES--STRATEGIC SSM & SPACE FACILITIES
USSR
FEBRUARY 1969
DECLASS REVIEW by NIMA/DOD
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of the espionage laws U. S. Code Title 18, Sections 793 and 794. The law prohibits its transmission or
the revelation of its contents in any manner to an unauthorized person, as well as its use in any manner
prejudicial to the safety or interest of the United States or for the benefit of any foreign government to the
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TITLE NPIC
TCS-293/68
Feb. 1969
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TITLE NPTC
TCS-24093/68
SEC. CLASS.
Feb. 1969 TS/T/K/C
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Tyuratam Missile Test Center
C OUNT
UR
SAC. USATC 200, Sheets M0246-13HL and M0246-14HL, 5th ed, Aug 65, scale 1:200,000
(SECRET)
ABSTRACT
This report provides a short chronology and description of the launch facilities and
associated areas at the Tyuratam Missile Test Center. A map shows the layout of the
Test Center, and a table provides additional chronological information, coordinates, and
other significant data on the major facilities at the Center. Information in this report
is current as of
INTRODUCTION
Chronology
When first observed, on TALENT photography in the Tyuratam Missile
Test Center (TTMTC) consisted of one launch area (Launch Area A), a propellant area,
an airstrip, two communication facilities, and a support base. Closely following its dis-
covery on photography, Launch Area A was used to test the SS-6 ICBM booster and to
launch Sputnik I, the world's first artificial satellite.
For the next several years, the rangehead expanded at a constant pace as prototype
sites were constructed and research was conducted on three separate ICBM systems, the
SS-6, SS-7, and SS-8. During this same period, the Soviets continued to develop reliable
space vehicles at Complex A, using the SS-6 as the basic booster.
- the Soviets began expanding their space launch capability by commencing
construction on two large launch facilities, designated Launch Area G3-G4 and Launch
Complex J.
Beginning - the rangehead underwent a period of rapid expansion in terms of
total launchers added, and over a period of approximately three years, 29 launch sites
were constructed. Although the number of launchers increased significantly during this
time, only two ICBM systems, the SS-9 and SS-11, were under development at the TTMTC.
It is interesting to note that during this period of increased activity, six of the sites that
were started have apparently been abandoned or have had their priorities severely cur-
tailed.
construction has been started on only three new ICBM launch sites. The
major effort at the rangehead has been concentrated at Complex J, which will probably
support the Soviets' manned lunar exploration program.
Environment
The TTMTC occupies an area of approximately 1,200 square nautical miles (nm) in
the southern USSR (Figure 1), approximately 100 nm east of the Aral Sea and just north
of the Syr Darya (River). Rail, specifically the Aralsk-Tashkent railroad, is the primary
means of surface transportation from outside areas to the Center. Apparently there is
little or no dependence on water or road transportation, as no significant river traffic
has been observed on the Syr Darya in the vicinity of the TTMTC, and the only roads
serving the TTMTC from outside are gravel surfaced, poorly constructed, and irregular
in alignment. Air transportation is handled at the two airfields near the Main Support
Base.
The Center is situated in a generally flat desert area with an average elevation of
about 330 feet above sea level. The vegetation is sparse except along the banks of the
Syr Darya and consists of desert forms, principally scattered low shrubs and short grasses.
The climate of the TTMTC is dry, with hot summers and cold winters. Visibility is ex-
cellent and cloud cover is at a minimum throughout the year. Precipitation is very low,
ranging from one to three inches per year, with the greatest amount falling in the spring.
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14
-TO ARALSK
+ i Railroad
Road
Trail
? SA-2 SAM site
- Launch complex components
Support-type components
? Interferometer/instrumentation
site
NAUTICAL MILES
Scale 1:300,000
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AIR
LIQUEFACTION
FACILITY
AIRFIELDS
SAM
SUPPORT
FACILITY
COMMUNICAT ONS
FACILITY
MAIN
SUPPORT
BASE
1
63 30 63 45 `
CENTRAL
SUPPORT
FACILITY
FIGURE 1. LAYOUT OF 1YURA TAM MISSILE TEST CENTER.
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BASIC DESCRIPTION
25X1 D
25X1 D
25X1 D
Of the 61 launchers at the TTMTC, 21 are soft launchers of a variety of configura-
tions and 40 are hardened silo launchers.
The following paragraphs are descriptions of the facilities present at each of the com-
plexes and the Main Support Base at the TTMTC. Where applicable, references are made
to other NPIC reports in which additional detailed data may be obtained.
Launch Complex A
Launch Complex A, 1/ situated in the approximate center of the rangehead and about
17 rum north of the Main Support Base, consists of four main areas: Launch Area A con-
taining Launch Pads Al, A2, and A3 and associated electronics facilities; a missile check-
out and assembly facility; a complex support facility; and instrumentation and tracking
and ancillary facilities. Launch Pad Al, the original launch pad at the TTMTC, is the
facility used for manned space launchings and has been associated with the SS-6 missile
system in both a space and an ICBM role. Launch Pad A2, which was completed in - 25X1 D
was originally associated with the early development of the SS-8 missile sys-
tem. However, since modification in and the addition of Launch Pad A3 in
- no missile system has been associated with either pad.
Launch Complex B
Launch Complex B 2/ is approximately 24 rim northeast of the Main Support Base
and 12 nm east-northeast of Launch Complex A. Complex B consists of two launch pads,
B1 and B2, and a complex support facility. Launch Pad B1, the prototype for the deployed
ICBM version of the SS-6, was completed in The pad has remained active
and probably has been used for many of the Soviet reconnaissance satellite launchings.
25X1 D Launch Pad B2, complete in is possibly associated with the SL-8 launch vehicle,
which employs the SS-5 as a booster.
Launch Complex C
Launch Complex C 3/ is approximately 25 nm northeast of the Main Support Base
and 15 nm east of Launch Complex A. Complex C consists of Launch Area C, which con-
tains three launch pads designated C1, C2, and C3, and a complex support facility. Launch
Pads C1 and C2, complete in Wand Launch Pad C3, complete in -
=were the prototypes forte pe , B, and III) deployed ICBM soft sites, which
utilize the SS-7 ICBM. Complex C shares a support facility with Launch Complex H.
Launch Complex D
Launch Complex D 4/ is at the eastern end of the rangehead, approximately 36 rim
northeast of the Main Support Base. The major elements of the complex include two
Type IIIA hardened launch sites, designated D1 and D2, for the SS-7 missile and a com-
25X1 D plex support facility. Launch Site D1, complete in and Launch Site D2,
complete in were the prototypes for the first Soviet hardened launch
25X1 D sites. During Launch Site D2 was subjected to a large high-explo-
sives detonation in what appears to have been a vulnerability test.
Launch Complex E
Launch Complex E 5/ is approximately 19 nm northwest of the Main Support Base
and 7 nm northwest of Launch Complex A. The launch area consists of three rail-served
launch pads, designated El, E2, and E3, all of which were completed in
Launch Area E served as the R&D facility and a prototype area for the so version o
the deployed SS-8 ICBM. Complex E shares a support facility with Launch Complex F.
Launch Complex F
Launch Complex F 6/ is approximately 25 nm north-northwest of the Main Support
Base and 12 nm northwest of Launch Complex A. The launch facility is the prototype of
the deployed Type IIIB hardened launch sites associated with the SS-8 missile system
and is considered to have been complete in
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Launch Complex G
Launch Complex G_7_10/ is situated at the west end of the Tyuratam rangehead. The
facilities at this complex include two rail-served soft launch areas (Launch Areas G1-G2
and G3-G4). a roan-aarc7nd -P+ i.,,......,-
Modification of the launch area, which was started in missile launches were conducted.
struction of two new launch pads, designated G1-A and G2-A. Theses two new pads conare
probably associated with a varient of the SS-9 missile system. The two original launch
pads were abandoned, and propellant transfer points were constructed in the vicinity of
their former locations.
lull area ct,auncn Area G5-G6), a support f
a revetted storage area,
to be
'V...pleue in was prob-
ably the facility from which a limited number of SS 10
Launch Area G3-G4, which was considered complete in
double-fenced launch area containing two rail-served concrete launch pads assoconsists of a
ciated with
the SL-9 space booster, which was used to launch the Proton satellite. Modification of
25X1 D the launch area was begun in -and completed by
new probable fuel and oxidizer storage area and several new buildings. Since this kim d a
fication, the SL-12 space booster has been associated with this launch area.
Launch Area G5-G6, which consists of a double-fenced launch area containing two
road-served concrete launch pads, is one of the facilities used in R&D for the SS-11 mis-
sile system. This launch area was considered complete in
Launch Complex H
25X1 D Launch Complex H 11/ is approximately 27 nm northeast of the Main Support Base
and 16 nm east of Launch Complex A. The complex consists of two rail- and road-served
launch pads, designated HI and H2, both of which were considered complete in
= The complex was used in R&D for the SS-9 missile system. Complex H shares a
support facility with Launch Complex C.
Launch Group I
Launch Group I 12-14/ is in the east-central portion of the Tyuratam rangehead, be-
tween Launch Complexes A and B. Group I consists of seven separate launch sites, of
which three (Launch Sites 11, 14, and 15) are Type IIIC sites, three (Launch Sites 12, 13,
and 16) are of an undetermined type of single-silo site and one (17) contains three silos
each closely resembling Type IIIC launch silos. Launch Group I has no support facility
of its own.
Launch Sites 11, 14, and 15, all of which were considered complete in were
probably the prototypes of deployed Type IIIC sites for the SS-9 ICBM. Launch Site 11
has an on-site L-shaped electronic facility and a control bunker which apparently serves
all three launch sites.
Launch Sites 12, 13, and 16, all of which consist of. single silos of an undetermined
type, are interconnected by buried cable. Initial construction techniques (excavation and
25X1 D silo coring) suggested that all three of these sites would be Type IIIC, but later con-
struction at Sites 12 and 13 followed different techniques. Launch Site 12, started in-
and Launch Site 13, started in
each have a circular silo head-
25X1 D wor s approximately in diameter and a building adjacent to it within the silo
25X1 D excavation. At Launch Site 13, in an additional excavation just northwest of the main
silo excavation, a 50-foot-diameter coring was dug. A circular structure approximately
in diameter was later constructed over this coring. This structure and an extended
fenceline at the site suggest that 13 will be the control site for the three launch silos.
Launch Site 16 has not progressed beyond the coring and excavation stage of construc-
tion, and all three sites have remained static since
Launch Site 17 is the most recent site under construction in the I group. The launch
site consists of three silos which are served by a common access road within a double-
fenced area. The three silos are equally separated along a north-south line and are desig-
nated the north, south, and center silos. The north and south silos are now considered
complete, and the center silo is in a late stage of construction. With a few exceptions,
construction techniques closely parallel those observed at Type IIIC sites.
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Launch Complex J
Launch Complex J, 15/ the largest complex in the Tyuratam rangehead, is situated
approximately 2 nm northwest of Launch Complex A. The major components of the com-
plex include a launch area containing two rail-served launch pads (Launch Pads J1 and
!12), a missile assembly and checkout facility, a spacecraft assembly and checkout. facility,
and a construction support facility. Construction of the launch
From are tbeg n in
the launch
and will probably be completed in
pads and associated equipment it is evident athat the n complex will be used for launchings
of large space boosters. In d aga
_ a 335-foot missile was observed on Launch Pad J1.
Launch Complex K
launch Group K 16, 17/ consists of two hardened launch sites. Launch Site Kl-K2
is approximately 5 nm east-southeast of Launch Complex G, and Launch Site K3 is just
cast of Launch Area G1-G2. Launch Site Kl-K2 contains two Type IIIC staunch Site which
was complete in-and K2, which was complete in
which contains a Type IIIC silo with associated control and electronic facilities, was also
considered complete in These sites have been associated with the SS-9 ICBM
and possibly the SS-X6 missile. Track activity indicates that Launch Site Kl-K2 utilizes
the support facility shared by Launch Complexes E and F. Site K3 appears to use the
support facility at Launch Complex G.
Launch Group L
Launch Group L 18/ is comprised of 10 Type 1111) hardened launch sites., dispersed
generally in the area between Launch Complexes F and G. The launch group configura-
tion is similar to that seen at, many of the deployed SS 11 complexes, with six. sites (L2-
i 7) arranged in a circular pattern around a central site (L1) and three additional sites
(L8-L10) forming a segment of an outer circle. Launch Site L1 is the control site for
the group. The launch group was considered complete in the first half of _
25X1 D
25X1 D
Launch Group M
Launch Group M, 19/ consisting of three single silo launch sites in a midstage of con
struction, is situated in the western part of the rangehead, between Launch Complexes F
and G. Two of the sites, M1 and M3, are on the northeast side of the main road serving
the west end of the rangehead, and the third site, M2, is on the southwest side of the
main road. The silos are an undetermined type of single silo. Each contains a rectangu-
lar silo headworks within an excavation. Launch Site Ml has an additional. excavation
northwest of the headworks which contains a 50-foot-diameter circular coring. Construe- 25X1 D
tion within Launch. Group M has remained static since
Launch Group N
Launch Group N 20, 21/ consists of two hardened launch sites -- Launch Site Ni,
which is approximately 0.7 nm west-northwest of Launch Site K1-K2, and Launch Site
N2-N3, which is approximately midway between Launch Areas G1-G2 and G3-G4. The
launch group is associated with the SS-11 ICBM. Launch Site N1, which was considered
complete in-contains a Type IIID silo with an associated control and electronic
contains two road served25X1 D
facility. Launch Site N2-N3, considered complete in
silos spaced part.
Launch Group 0
Launch Group 0, which is dispersed in the vicinity of Launch Group L, contains the
most recently started silo construction activity at the Tyuratam rangehead. It consists of
three launch sites, designated Sites 01, 02, and 04, and what appears to be a launch con-
trol facility, designated Site 03. Each of the three launch sites contains a Type IIIC launch
silo. Construction techniques and silo components at these sites appear to be nearly iden-
tical to those at a normal Type IIIC launch silo, the major difference being; that no two
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of the three launch sites have a common site orientation. Site 04 consists of what ap-
peared to be a typical IIIC earth-mounded control bunker without a collocated launch silo.
Main Support Base
Most of the logistical support for the TTMTC is provided by the Main Support Base,
which is situated approximately 17 nm south of Launch Complex A, between the Aralsk-
Tashkent railroad and the Syr Darya and near the small railroad town of Tyuratam.
The major components of the Support Base include an administration and housing
area, a railhead and storage area, water treatment facilities, a heat- and power-plant, an
air liquefaction facility, several communications facilities, and two airfields.
In addition to providing support for the dynamic missile development program at the
TTMTC, the Main Support Base has evolved into a modern city. The presence of numer-
ous schools, commercial facilities, theaters, and modern apartment buildings indicates per-
manence of personnel assigned to the TTMTC as well as official regard for their physical
comforts and cultural needs. The Main Support Base and its surrounding urban area,
referred to by the Soviets as Star City, have undergone constant expansion since the be-
ginning of the TTMTC's development, and will probably continue to expand.
MAPS OR CIIAR'TS
SAC. US Air Target Chart 200, Sheets \10246-13IIL and M0246-14I1L, 5th ed, Aug 65, scale 1:200,000
(SECRET)
DOCUMENTS
1. NPIC. TCS-81121/66, Tyuratam Missile Test Center, Launch Complex A, Dec 66 (TOP SECRE 1'
CIIESS RUFF)
2. NPIC. TCS-80769/67, Tyuratam Missile Test Center, Launch Complex B, Dec 67 (TOP SECRET
CIIFSS RUFF)
3. NPIC. R-50/63, Launch Complex C, Tyuratam Missile Test Center, USSR, Apr 63 (TOP SE-
CRE'T CHESS RUFF)
4. NPIC. TCS-20146/68, Tyuratam Missile Test Center, Launch Complex 1), Mar 68 ('TOP SECRET
CHESS RUFF)
5. NPIC. TCS-80451/65, "Tyuratam Missile 'l'est Center, Launch Complex E, Apr 65 (TOP S1:CRE'1'
RUFF)
6. NPIC. TCS-80559/67, Tyuratam Missile "Pest Center, Launch Complex F, Sep 67 (TOP SECRET
RUFF)
7. NPIC. TCS-24037/68, Modification of Launch Area GI-G2, Launch Complex G, "Tyuratam Missile
Test Center, Nov 68 (TOP SECRET RUFF)
8. NPIC. TCS-20056/68, Tyuratam Missile Test Center, Launch Complex G, Launch Area G3-G4,
Feb 68 (7'OP SECRET RUFF)
9. NPIC. TCS-80010/66, Tyuratam Missile 'l'est Center, Launch Complex G, Launch Area G5-G6,
Jan 66 (TOP SECRET RUFF)
10. NPIC. TCS-80895/66, Tyuratam Missile 'l'est Center, Launch Complex G Support Facility, Oct 66
(TOP SECRET RUFF)
11. NPIC. R-145/64, Launch Complex II, Tyuratam Missile 'lest Center, USSR, Changes Since April
1963, Feb 64 ('T'OP SECRET CIIESS RUFF)
12. NPIC. TCS-80660/67, Tyuratam Missile "Pest Center, Launch Group I, Launch Sites 11, 14, 15,
Nov 67 (TOP SECRET RUFF)
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REFERENCES ((:ontinued)
13. NPIC. TCS-80764/67, T'),uratam Missile "Pest Center, Launch Group I. Launch Site 13. Nov 67
('TOP SECRET RUFF)
14. NPIC. TCS-24070/68, Launch Group I launch Site 17, Nov 68 (TOP SECRET' RUFF)
15. NPIC. TCS-80609/67, Tyuratam Missile Test Center, haunch Complex J, Oct 67 (TOP SECRET
RUFF)
16. NPIC. TCS-80394; 66, Tvuratam Missile Test Center, Launch Complex K, Launch Area K1-K2,
,Jun 66 (TOP SECRET RUFF) 17. NPIC. TC S-80025/66 T'yuratam Missile Test Center, Launch Complex G, Launch Area C;7'", Jan
66 (TOP SECRET R[ `FF) _ ~~ - -
18. NPIC. T( S-80381/66._ Tvuratam Missile 'l'est Center. La,inch Group L, May 66 (TOP SECRET
RUFF) - -
19. NPIC:. TCS-80758/66. Tvuratam Missile Test Center, launch Group M, Aug 66 (TOP SECRET
R I JFF) -_ -
20. NPIC. TCS 80395/66, Tvuratam Missile Test Center, launch Complex K, Launch Area K i, ''= Jun
66 (TOP SECRET RUFF)
21. NPIC. TCS-80026/66, Tvuratam Missile Test Center, launch Complex G. Launch Area G8-G9,
,Ian 66 (TOP SECRET iFF) -
(,OMIREX 157-69
.NPIC Project 210263
launch Area G7 is the former designator of Launch Site K3.
:: Launch Area K3 is the former designator of Launch Site N1.
-'"'haunch Area G8-G9 is the former designator of Launch Site N2-\3.
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