42nd Combat Launch Station

42-я боевая стартовая станция

Military Unit: 13973

Activated 6.8.58 in Baikonur, Kzyl-Orda Oblast, under the Baikonur Test Center.

Formation was complete 5.12.58, and the unit began training with the R-7A (SS-6) missile.

5.8.59 transferred to Plesetsk, Arkhangelsk Oblast, and went on alert duty 1.1.60 with one R-7A (SS-6) pad at Area 41.

From 30.4.64 under the 1st Department, and from 15.7.67 the 2nd Test Department.

The station stood down 20.3.65, and began pad modernisations to support space launches - returned to alert duty 31.10.65.

The unit stood down in 1967, and 15.7.67 renamed 29th independent Engineering & Test Unit - would now concentrate on space launches.

US designation: Plesetsk ICBM Complex - launch point III (Type I pad):

• pad completed in 1959

• R-7A: 1st combat training launch 14.12.65 - total of 6 R-7A missile launches, including 4 at the Baikonur Test Center

• R-7A variants: 1st launch 17.3.66 (Kosmos 112), last launch 15.9.89 (Kosmos 2044) - total 310 orbital launches

• pad not used after 1989, and is partly dismantled today

• unit now tests and maintains the incomplete Zenit-2 and Angara launch complex

Plesetsk ICBM Complex - launch point III (62 56 26N, 40 31 44E):

Soviet designations (Plesetsk Test Range):

• Launch Pad - Site 1 (62 56 26N, 40 31 44E)

• Assembly Hall (MIK-142) - Site 142 (62 55 40N, 40 31 42E) - built 1965/1966

• Residential/Support Area - Site 41

• Zenit-2/Angara complex - Site 35 (62 55 38N, 40 34 43E) - construction began 1990