39th independent Engineering & Test Unit

39-я отдельная инженерно-испытательная часть

Military Unit: 14332

Activated 25.1.62 in Leninskiy (Leninsk), Kzyl-Orda Oblast, from the 347th Missile Regiment, under the Baikonur Test Center (5th NIIP).

The units main tasks were missile/complex tests and training with the R-16 (SS-7) and R-36 (SS-9) ICBM's, as well as orbital launches with the 11K65 (Kosmos-1) launcher.

From 31.5.62 attached to the 2nd Test Department.

5.12.69 renamed 98th Missile Brigade.

US designation: Baikonur Test Center - Launch Complex C (two Type IIA pads) [Site 41]

US designation: Baikonur Test Center - Launch Complex H (two Type II pads) [Site 67]

Baikonur Test Center - Site 41 (45 58 30N, 63 39 54E)

• two 8K64 (SS-7) pads: PU3 and PU4 - built 11.59-10.60
• one 11K65 (Kosmos-1) pad: PU15 - built 4.64-8.64 (45 58 34N, 63 40 07E)
• 8K64: 100+ launches between 1.2.61 and 9.12.67
• 11K65: 14 orbital launches between 18.8.64 and 27.8.68
• pad equipment dismantled in the 1970's
• 24.10.60 over 100 people killed when a R-16 exploded on pad PU3 - among those killed where RVSN commander Mitrofan Ivanovich Nedelin
• drawing (1965)

Baikonur Test Center - Site 67 (45 59 19N, 63 42 21E)

• two 8K67 (SS-9) pads: PU21 and PU22 - built 8.62-9.63
• 8K67: 1st launch/last launch 28.9.63/23.5.64 (PU21) and 26.4.64/30.1.65 (PU22) - total 20 launches (10 from each pad)
• modernized for the 8K69 missile 1.65-12.65
• 8K69: PU21 - 3 launches (16.12.65-20.5.66) and PU22 - 1 launch (20.5.66)
• modernization for the 15A14 missile complete 10.71
• cold launch throw tests with 2 or 3 stage models of the 15A14 (SS-18): 8 tests 22.10.71-18.8.72
• cold launch throw tests with 2 stage models of the 15A15 (SS-17) (only PU21): 4 tests 10.12.71 - 21.3.72
• cold launch throw tests with 3 stage models of the 15A15 (SS-17) (only PU21): 3 tests 6.5.72-15.6.72
• Service station for orbital warheads (KRT) (FOBS), including storage - in use to 1975
• Site demolished in late 1970's
• drawing (1965)

Baikonur Test Center - Site 42 (45 58 00N, 63 39 11E)

• support/technical area for Site 41 and Site 67, and later Site 45
• Missile ready building for 8K64 and 8K67 missiles (MIK-42) (built 11.59-1960) - 45 57 58N, 63 39 12E
• new integration and test building (MIK-45) (built 1983-1985) for the 11K77 (Zenit-2) launcher - 45 58 00N, 63 39 01E

Baikonur Test Center - Site 43 (45 58 09N, 63 38 43E)

• Housing area for Sites 41/42, and later Site 45
• HQ 2nd Test Department
• HQ 39th independent Engineering & Test Unit (until 1969)
• HQ 26th independent Engineering & Test Unit (1976 transferred to Site 37)
• HQ 25th independent Engineering & Test Unit (1976 transferred to Site 37; disbanded 1980)
• HQ 244 independent Engineering & Test Unit
• railway station "Vostochnaya" - 45 57 55N, 63 38 28E
• still in use

Baikonur Test Center - Site 41A (45 58 16N, 63 39 19E)

• Special Technical Area, built 11.59-6.60
• parts of the 914th Repair-Technical Base & nuclear warhead storage
• depository of warheads for the 8K64 (SS-7) ICBM at least until 1968
• subsequently it was used as depository and assembly shop with warheads, for missiles being tested in the 2nd Test Department

Baikonur Test Center - Site 68 (45 58 47N, 63 43 41E)

• Radio control center for the 8K67 missiles during launch - built 8.62 to late 1963
• closed at the end 1960's - dismantled early 1970's