PLESETSK ICBM COMPLEX, USSR LAUNCH SITES 9 AND 10

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP02T06408R000400010005-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 24, 2003
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: December 1, 1966
• Content Type: REPORT

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PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION REPORT
ummmm
PLESETSK ICBM COMPLEX, USSR
LAUNCH SITES 9 AND 10
Declass Review by
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DECEMBER 1966
COPY 111
15 PAGES
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AUTOMATIC DOMNORAOING
AND DECLASSIFICATION
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PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION REPORT
PLESETSK ICBM COMPLEX, USSR
LAUNCH SITES 9 AND 10
DECEMBER 1966
NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION CENTER
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The precision target plots included in this report are mathematically rectified
projections of the area. Plots are compiled by utilizing precision mensuration in-
struments, and image interpretation is performed with the aid of stereoscopic
viewing equipment. Identifiable image points are measured and their coordinate
values mathematically transformed by computer. This transformation corrects
for camera and attitude (pitch, roll, and yaw) induced distortions but does not
correct for displacement due to ground relief and object height.
These target plots represent the most accurate data compiled to date, but
the user is cautioned to exercise care in scaling distances or determining azimuths
from these plots, inasmuch as relief can introduce errors in distance and alignment.
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BOW AND ARROW I"
INTERFEROMETER AIRFIEI
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ADMINISTRATION
AND HOUSING
- Road
Railroad
Trail
Powerline
^ Unidentified facility
^ Type II launch site
o Type III A launch site
Type I launch site
0 SSM launch site
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Launch Sites 9 and 10 at the Plesetsk ICBM Complex
(Figure 1) are unique among all of the sites identified to
date in the USSR. Both sites, located approximately 5.9
and 6.3 nautical miles, respectively, east-southeast of
the complex support facility, are road and rail served
and have been under construction for over 2 years. The
sites are nearly identical and were started within a
25X 1 month of each other in the summer of 1964. Each launch site
contains 2 flat pads 585 feet apart, and each pad is served
- by a rail spur that enters from the north. A 165-foot-
high gantry is being constructed at each launch site, and
25X1 the placement of theII gantry tracks at each
pad indicates that each probably will be served by a
separate gantry. Of particular interest is the fact that
no missile checkout or ready building is present which
can be associated directly with either of the launch sites.
Also, photography has not revealed any evidence that
would indicate either the intended direction of launch or
25X 1 the missile system involved. Details of the launch sites
and the support facility contained in this report were de-
v rived from photography through
The chronology of of significant construction
events is given in Table 1.
Launch Site 9 (62-53N 040-51E), in a late stage of
construction, contains 2 rail-served launch pads 585 feet
apart (Figures 2, 3, and 4). The main rail spur approaches
the site from the south, bypasses to the east, and termi-
nates north of the site. A back-in spur serves each launch
pad, giving the site a "wishbone" configuration. A third
back-in spur serves the buildings oriented in a north-south
alignment between the launch pads. This third spur termi-
nates just south of the northernmost building, and a siding
from it terminates alongside the southernmost building.
Early photographic coverage showed cruciform exca-
vations and foundations in the positions where the pads
now appear, indicating that equipment and/or terminal
rooms are present under the pads. At no time has there
been any indication of exhaust ducts being constructed at
either site, leading to the conclusion that launch opera-
tions will take place from the flat pad. During the early
stages of construction, the 3 large building excavations
in the center of the launch site were connected to both pad
excavations by trenching, As construction of the launch
site progressed, the trenching was soon obliterated. It
was also observed that the northern building excavation
contained 2 circular excavations on the southern side,
whereas the southern building excavation had a single cir-
cular excavation on the northern side. These circular
portion of the basin was being covered or backfilled.
Both launch pads are nearing completion, with the left
pad the most advanced. An excavation on the outside
edge of the left pad has been backfilled. Presently,
there is trenching from the outside edges and alongside
both launch pads. At the ends of some of this trenching
are square-like structures. A prominent V-shaped trenching
scar is apparent beside the left launch pad; at the end of
each leg, and slightly northwest of the apex, is a square-
like structure. A mobile gantry 165 feet high has been con-
structed behind the left pad and, although there are as yet
no signs of construction of a gantry behind the right pad,
the presence of gantry tracks behind the right pad indicates
that it will be served by a gantry. There is no indication
of an intent to connect the 2 gantry tracks so that 1 gantry
can serve both pads. At each launch pad, 2 tall lattice
towers are located at opposite corners in a northwest-
southeast alignment diagonally across the center of the pad.
Launch Site 10 (62-52N 040-52E) is nearly identical
to Launch Site 9 and, although not as near completion as
Launch Site 9, the construction is nearly concurrent
(Figures 5 and 6). This site is also road and rail served,
but differs from Launch Site 9 in that the main rail spur
approaches from the west, bypasses the site on the west,
and terminates north of the site. It has the same "wish-
bone" configuration and the same number of back-in rail
spurs. The spurs serve the same types of facilities as 25X1
those at Launch Site 9, and all existing facilities (exca-
vations, buildings, launch pad towers) are in correspond-
ing positions. Two noticeable differences at Launch
Site 10 are the gantry which is being constructed behind
the right pad instead of the left pad as at Launch Site
9, and the basin to the north which still has 2 parts
separated by a dike.
A common support facility (Figures 7 and 8) consisting
of a logistical support area, a motor pool/vehicle park,
a barracks/administration area, and several rail sidings
serves both launch sites. The logistical support area is
located south-southeast of Launch Site 9 and west of Launch
Site 10. It has 4 multistory buildings, 6 large probable
storage buildings and several smaller buildings, and areas
of open storage. An earth mound, which appears to have
5 vents in the top, is situated at the southern edge of the area.
A heat plant and a rail siding also are within the area. Rail-
road cars on 3 spurs at the eastern edge of the logistical
support area possibly provide additional housing facilities.
The motor pool/vehicle park has 4 large and several small
buildings enclosed by fencing. An electrical power sub-
station is located south-southeast of the motor pool/ve-
hicle park. The barracks/administration area is the
southernmost of the support facilities. It consists of 17
large barracks-type buildings, 1 T-shaped probable mess-
hall and 1 L-shaped probable administration building, and
several other buildings scattered throughout the area.
There are 2 back-in rail sidings west-southwest of the
logistical support area. One siding has only open stor-
age facilities, whereas the other has open storage in
addition to 2 probable storage buildings. There are
several sidings on which cars can be unloaded without 25X1
blocking rail service to the launch sites.
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First seen; road and railbed approaching
from south
Rail is laid to the south of the launch site;
land has been cleared and there is prob-
able security fencing around site
Rail laid into site; well-defined road to site
clearing
Definite security fencing around site;
wishbone" configuration apparent
Railbed extended to both launch pad exca-
vations and building excavations between
the pads; rail is laid almost to apex of
"wishbone"; excavations for both launch
pads, which are cruciform-shaped, and the
buildings between the pads are apparent;
2 circular excavations are on the south
aide of the northernmost building excava?
tion; a single circular excavation is on
the north side of the southernmost build-
ing excavation; ditching/trenching
extends from the left launch pad to the
left circular excavation
Ditching/trenching extends from right
launch pad to north circular excavation
Ditching/trenching connects Launch Sites
9 and 10; ditching/trenching extends
from east side of Launch Site 9 to west
side of Launch Site 10; large basin
divided by a dike is situated in
northern portion of site
Conduit in ditching/trenching from left
launch pad to north, central, and south
buildings between the pads, and from
right launch pad to north and central
buildings; small building foundation
located north of, and adjacent to,
central building
First seen; land is being cleared;
security fencing is apparent; road
extends into site
Railbed extends to security fence on west
side of site
Railbed extends into site; rail laid to
security fencing on west side of site
"Wishbone" configuration apparent; rail-
bed extends to both launch pad excava-
tions and building excavations between
the pads; excavations for both launch
pads, which are cruciform-shaped, and
buildings between the pads are
apparent; a single circular excavation
on the south side of the northernmost
building excavation, and on the north
aide of the southernmost building;
ditching/trenching appears from left
launch pad to the north circular exca-
vation and to the south circular exca-
vation;ditching/trenching also extends
from the right launch pad to the north
circular excavation
Two circular excavations now appear on
the southern side of the northern build-
ing excavation. Ditching/trenching
connects both launch pad excavations
to the building excavations between the
pads; rail extends to right launch pad
and along the middle railbed
The 3 buildings between pads are
under construction
Conduit in ditching/trenching to both
launch pads, and from right launch pad
to central building between the pads;
small building foundation located north
of, and adjacent to, central building
Support Facility
Logistical Support Area - Motor Pool/Vehicle
Park - Barracks/Administration Area -
Rail Sidings
Clearing of land, small buildings, excavations/
foundations for multistory buildings and heat
plant at logistical support area; barracks/ad-
ministration area has 11 barracks/administra-
tion-type buildings and several smaller ones;
rail complete to large rail siding, and rolling
stock is present; 2 areas cleared for unload.
ing and open storage beside rail siding
Additional land being cleared to the east of
logistical support area; also, land being
cleared for motor pool/vehicle park
More land being cleared on north side of rail
spur between sites; a building is now
apparent at the motor pool/vehicle park
Row of rail cars parked on dead-end spur at
logistical support area; motor pool/vehicle
park has several buildings
Three rows of rail cars appear on the dead-end
spurs at logistical support area; 2 probable
storage buildings along north side of rail
between launch sites; power trace cut to
logistical support area extended further
eastward
A heat plant is located in the north portion
of logistical support area; clearing started
for the electric power substation; the
barracks /administration area contains ap-
proximately 19 barracks/administration
buildings and several smaller ones
One additional probable storage building
north of rail between launch sites; sub.
station building apparent; 24 barracks/
administration buildings and several smaller
buildings are observed; 2 probable storage
buildings observed at rail siding
Approximately 6 tanks appear in southern
portion of logistical support area; 3 addi-
tional probable storage buildings are south
of road between the launch sites; 22 barracks/
administration buildings and several smaller
buildings observed in barracks/administration
area; numerous crates are in the open
storage area beside the rail siding; motor
pool/vehicle park now has 4 large buildings
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Launch Site 9
Rail extended almost to northern building,
and started to left launch pad
Gantry observed to the rear of left pad
Rail spur branching from the middle
rail spur is apparent; 2 diagonally
opposed towers at each pad; excava-
tions on outside edge of both pads;
buildings between pads in various
stages of being earth banked
Outer security fencing and ditching
apparent; launch site service road is
taking definite form; all buildings
between pads still being earth banked
Right side of northern basin being filled
in; gantry behind left launch pad
moved up to the pad; buildings between
pads still being earth banked and
mounded; ditching/trenching extends
from left and right launch pads; V-
shaped ditching/trenching scar apparent
beside left launch pad; ditching/trench-
ing connecting the 2 sites appears to be
filled in halfway between Launch Sites
9and10
Table 1. (Continued)
Launch Site 10
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A large basin divided by a dike
located in the northern portion of
the site
Rail siding branching from the middle
rail spur is apparent; 2 diagonally
opposed towers at each pad; gantry
under construction behind right pad;
buildings between pads in various
stages of being earth banked
Outer security fencing and ditching
apparent; buildings between pads
still being earth banked
Gantry behind the right launch pad still
under construction; buildings between
pads still being earth banked and
mounded; ditching/trenching extends
from the left and right launch pads; site
service road taking definite form
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Support Facility
Logistical Support Area - Motor Pool/Vehicle
Park - Barracks/Administration Area -
Rail Sidings
Powerline probably extends to substation
2 probable storage buildings and open
storage across from motor pool/vehicle
park; several of the barracks/administra-
tion buildings have been removed
Probable earth-mounded tanks in southern
portion of logistical support area have top
vents
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ACIC series, scale 1:200,000
REQUIREMENTS
CIA. C-DS6-83,868
CIA. C-DI5-82,972
NPIC PROJECTS
11061/67
11210/66 (partial answer)
IICBM Complex, Plesetak, USSR, Probable Launch Areas G and H, May 65 (TOP SECRET
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