51st independent Engineering & Test Unit

51-я отдельная инженерно-испытательная часть

Military Unit: 44083

Activated 10.4.61 in Leninskiy (Leninsk), Kzyl-Orda Oblast, from the 676th Missile Regiment, under the Baikonur Test Center (5th NIIP).

The units main tasks were missile/complex tests with the R-9A (SS-8) ICBM.

From 31.5.62 attached to the 1st Test Department.

The unit went on alert duty 1965 with 3 R-9A pads and 3 R-9A silos.

The unit went off alert duty 1971.

US designation: Baikonur Test Center - Launch Complex E (three Type IIC pads) [Area 75]

US designation: Baikonur Test Center - Launch Complex F (three Type IIIB silos) [Area 70]

Baikonur Test Center - Site 70 (46 01 58N, 63 05 47E)

three 8K75 (SS-8) Desna-V silos
Built 1961-1963
1st launch 18.10.63 (PU11), 9.1.64 (PU10) and 12.1.64 (PU9) - total 10 launches
maintenance/repair (silo PU11) 10.63-5.64 - missile went on fire after fuelling 24.10.63 - 8 dead
silo equipment dismantled late 1970's
drawing (1965)

Baikonur Test Center - Site 75 (45 57 51N, 63 12 08E)

three 8K75 (SS-8) Desna-N launch pads and support area
Built 1961-1963
1st launch 19.6.62 (pad PU13), 22.2.63 (pad PU14) and 28.9.65 (pad PU12) - total 30 launches
pad equipment dismantled late 1970's
Support area later used for the 15A35 and 15A18 missiles - still in use
Missile ready building (45 57 56N, 63 12 21E)
drawing (1965)

Baikonur Test Center - Site 71 (45 59 13N, 63 08 33E)