32nd independent Engineering & Test Unit

32-я отдельная инженерно-испытательная часть

Military Unit: 25741

Activated 1.7.57 in Zarya (Leninsk), Kzyl-Orda Oblast, under the Baikonur Test Center (5th NIIP).

The units main tasks were to introduce the R-7 and R-9A ICBM's into service and conduct orbital launches.

The unit went on alert duty 1.2.61 with 1 R-7A (SS-6) missile.

From 31.5.62 attached to the 1st Test Department.

The unit went off alert duty 12.66, and would now concentrate solely on orbital launches.

US designation: Baikonur Test Center - Launch Complex A (Type I and Type IIC pads)

Baikonur Test Center - Site 1 (45 55 13N, 63 20 32E) - US designation: pad A-1

• pad constructed 20.7.55 - 4.57

• 1st launch with R-7 missile took place on 15.5.57

• 1st orbital launch (Sputnik 1) took place on 4.10.57

• pad modernized/reconstructed 1958, 20.6.70-2.71 and 1979-1980

• pad maintenance/repair 1962, 9.83-6.84 and 7.92-12.92

• total of 600+ launches (8K71, 8K72, 8K78, 8A92, 11A59, 11A57, 11A511/U missiles) - still in use

• 1994 transferred to the Design Bureau of General Machine-building (KBOM)

Baikonur Test Center - Site 2 (45 54 44N, 63 18 54E)

• Support and housing area for Site 1 - built 1955

• HQ 32nd independent Engineering and Test Unit

• HQ 1st Test Department (to 1995)

• HQ 3rd Test Department (1962-1964)

• MIK-2 (old integration and test building) - 45 54 54N, 63 19 03E

• MIK-2b (new integration and test building) - 45 54 58N, 63 18 58E

• today under RKK Energiya & SbIK Progress

• railway station "Severnaya" (45 54 55N, 63 19 01E)

Baikonur Test Center - Site 51 (45 55 26N, 63 20 27E) - single pad - US designation: pad A-2

• 8K75 (SS-8) (PU5) pad: 1st launch 9.4.61, last launch 28.10.61 - total 20 launches

• 8K713 (SS-10): planned, but never launched

• tests of the engine installation of various emergency escape systems: EU-58 (1972/73), EU-97 (1974/75), EU-81 (1977/78) and EU-81.4 (1984)

• dismantled, not in use today

• the old assembly building, MIK-2 (45 54 54N, 63 19 03E), built for the R-7 was also used to prepare the 8K75

Baikonur Test Center - Site 52 (45 56 13N, 63 19 32E)

• Radio control point (RUP) for the 8K75 missile (Site 51) - built 1960

• dismantled late 1970's

Baikonur Test Center - Site 53 (45 55 45N, 63 19 33E)

• Technical Equipment buildings for systems "Signal" and "Zarya"

• Measuring systems for piloted missiles

• dismantled