Newsgroups: sci.space
Path: utzoo!henry
From: henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer)
Subject: Re: Soviet Launch Sites (was Re: space news from Jan 16 AW&ST)
Message-ID: <1989Apr3.152725.29641@utzoo.uucp>
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology
References: <1989Mar28.045026.7380@utzoo.uucp> <2500@ndsuvax.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 3 Apr 89 15:27:25 GMT

In article <2500@ndsuvax.UUCP> ncoverby@plains.nodak.edu (Glen Overby) writes:
>If I recall correctly what was said in James Oberg's _Red Star in Orbit_,
>the city of Baikonur doesn't even exist!  It was a cover-up...
>
>Now my question: where is the true place that the Soviet shuttle (and other
>space shots) is launched from? 

The Baikonur Cosmodrome.  That is its official name.  The name is indeed
a relic of a deception attempt, since the town of Baikonur -- which does
exist -- is far away and has nothing to do with the Cosmodrome.

>I seem to recall hearing one time about two locations.

The other major Soviet launch site is Plesetsk; the traffic is split
about 50-50.  Plesetsk is primarily military and has been very highly
secret until quite recently.
-- 
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