START LAUNCH FACILITY
The image above depicts the Start SLV facility at Svobodnyy in eastern Russia. Svobodnyy is often used as a launch point for the Start series of SLVs, which have been derived from deactivated Topol (SS-25 SICKLE) mobile ICBMs. The SLV maintains the operating methodology of the Topol, including the mobile vehicle used for transport and launch. Svobodniyy was initially conceived in response to the location of the Baikonur Cosmodrome outside of Russia following the USSR's breakup. A former UR-100N (SS-19 STILETTO) facility, infrastructure was added to support Rokot and Start SLV launches. Continued development of Svobodniyy was reportedly cancelled in 2008.
ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION
Feel free to discuss the current Image of the Week at the IMINT & Analysis Forum Image of the Week discussion thread found here.
SOURCES
-Satellite imagery provided courtesy of Google Earth
Svobodniyy
The image above depicts the Start SLV facility at Svobodnyy in eastern Russia. Svobodnyy is often used as a launch point for the Start series of SLVs, which have been derived from deactivated Topol (SS-25 SICKLE) mobile ICBMs. The SLV maintains the operating methodology of the Topol, including the mobile vehicle used for transport and launch. Svobodniyy was initially conceived in response to the location of the Baikonur Cosmodrome outside of Russia following the USSR's breakup. A former UR-100N (SS-19 STILETTO) facility, infrastructure was added to support Rokot and Start SLV launches. Continued development of Svobodniyy was reportedly cancelled in 2008.ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION
Feel free to discuss the current Image of the Week at the IMINT & Analysis Forum Image of the Week discussion thread found here.
SOURCES
-Satellite imagery provided courtesy of Google Earth
Svobodniyy
2 comments:
Svobodnyy was an SS-11 base (UR-100), not SS-19 (UR-100N). Also, I'm not sure that there is a Rockot launcher there (although this may be the plan - I'd have to check). - Pavel Podvig
You're right, I got the wires crossed between UR-100 and UR-100N. Svobodnyy was a UR-100 base, but the Rokot was a UR-100N conversion. There were five UR-100 silos that were set aside for Rokot launches, but none ever occurred. The only five launches from Svobodnyy were all Start SLVs. At one point they were going to add Angara SLV pads as well, but that was cancelled.
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