On February 12, 1955, the first military...

The need for a new test range became evident after the Soviet Union began to develop its own intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). The Kapustin Yar test range near Astrakhan, southern Russia, was located in a more densely populated area and could not therefore be used for ICBM tests.

The new missile test range was located further south for the equatorial launch advantages. A space rocket lifting off near the Equator is subjected to lower gravity and can thus place in orbit larger and heavier payloads.

The Tyura-Tam settlement and the nearby railroad station matched the requirements better than other locations. Apart from purely technical standards, the new test range minimized possible economic losses. The range was located in a sparsely-populated semi-desert area with sand berms and salt lakes. Consequently, there was no need to close operating farms.

However, the technical and economic advantages were offset by an adverse and purely continental climate

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