The area was selected for nuclear weapons testing due to its remoteness, low population density, stable geological formations and lack of underground rivers.[2]
Two underground shafts 385 metres (1,263 ft) and 216 metres (709 ft) in depth and 1 metre (3.3 ft) in diameter were drilled from 1975–1977.[3] Neither was ever used to perform a detonation, although instrumented tests were performed. The shafts were sealed with sand and concrete under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency in July 1993.[4]
Detectionedit
The site was first detected by the Soviet spy satellite, Cosmos 922 when it photographed the area from 21–25 July 1977, and reported to the Americans on 6 August, who in turn confirmed its existence with an overflight of the Lockheed SR-71 spy plane.[5] The US then applied pressure on the South Africans for it to be closed;[6] France also insisted on closure, threatening cancellation of the Koeberg nuclear power station contract.[7]
David Albright reported that South African officials believed that an attempt to re-use the site in the late 1980s was detected by Western or Soviet intelligence agencies, and that this discovery influenced the Tripartite Accord.[8] In an effort to mask activities, a shed was built over one of the shafts, and the water that was pumped out in preparation for a test was hauled away.
^"Discussing the Detonation Effects of Large Charges" (PDF). South African Navy. 9 August 2006. p. 2.
^Jan Van Loggerenberg, Richardt Van Der Walt (2005). Armament and Disarmament: South Africa's Nuclear Experience. iUniverse. ISBN0-595-35665-6.
^David Albright (July–August 1994). "South Africa and the Affordable Bomb". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. pp. 37–47. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
^"Tracking South Africa" (PDF). Carnegie Endowment. 24 July 2007.
^du Preez, Max (2004). Of Warriors, Lovers, and Prophets: Unusual Stories from South Africa's Past. New Holland Publishers. ISBN1-86872-901-X.
^From Defence to Development: Redirecting Military Resources in South Africa. International Development Research Centre. 1998. p. 1921. ISBN0-88936-853-8.
^David Albright (July 1994). "South Africa and the Affordable Bomb". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. p. 44.
vastrap, stand, firm, small, military, airfield, situated, kalahari, desert, north, east, upington, inside, square, kilometre, weapons, test, range, same, name, belonging, south, african, national, defence, force, constructed, allow, saaf, practice, tactical, . Vastrap Stand firm is a small military airfield situated in the Kalahari Desert north east of Upington inside a 700 square kilometre weapons test range of the same name 1 belonging to the South African National Defence Force It was constructed to allow the SAAF to practice tactical bombing operations and for aircraft to service the SADF s defunct underground nuclear weapon test site Vastrap Test Range AirfieldIATA noneICAO FAVSSummaryAirport typeMilitary AFB Bloemspruit OperatorSAAFLocationVastrap Weapons RangeElevation AMSL3 234 ft 986 mCoordinates27 50 5 S 21 37 50 E 27 83472 S 21 63056 E 27 83472 21 63056RunwaysDirection Length Surfaceft m18 36 5 249 1 600 Asphalt Contents 1 Atomic testing 2 Detection 3 Airstrip 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksAtomic testing editThe area was selected for nuclear weapons testing due to its remoteness low population density stable geological formations and lack of underground rivers 2 Two underground shafts 385 metres 1 263 ft and 216 metres 709 ft in depth and 1 metre 3 3 ft in diameter were drilled from 1975 1977 3 Neither was ever used to perform a detonation although instrumented tests were performed The shafts were sealed with sand and concrete under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency in July 1993 4 Detection editThe site was first detected by the Soviet spy satellite Cosmos 922 when it photographed the area from 21 25 July 1977 and reported to the Americans on 6 August who in turn confirmed its existence with an overflight of the Lockheed SR 71 spy plane 5 The US then applied pressure on the South Africans for it to be closed 6 France also insisted on closure threatening cancellation of the Koeberg nuclear power station contract 7 David Albright reported that South African officials believed that an attempt to re use the site in the late 1980s was detected by Western or Soviet intelligence agencies and that this discovery influenced the Tripartite Accord 8 In an effort to mask activities a shed was built over one of the shafts and the water that was pumped out in preparation for a test was hauled away Airstrip editThe airfield is operated by AFB Bloemspruit See also editSouth Africa and weapons of mass destructionReferences edit Discussing the Detonation Effects of Large Charges PDF South African Navy 9 August 2006 p 2 Jan Van Loggerenberg Richardt Van Der Walt 2005 Armament and Disarmament South Africa s Nuclear Experience iUniverse ISBN 0 595 35665 6 David Albright July August 1994 South Africa and the Affordable Bomb Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists pp 37 47 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a External link in code class cs1 code publisher code help Tracking South Africa PDF Carnegie Endowment 24 July 2007 U S Military Involvement in Southern Africa South End Press 1978 ISBN 0 89608 041 2 du Preez Max 2004 Of Warriors Lovers and Prophets Unusual Stories from South Africa s Past New Holland Publishers ISBN 1 86872 901 X From Defence to Development Redirecting Military Resources in South Africa International Development Research Centre 1998 p 1921 ISBN 0 88936 853 8 David Albright July 1994 South Africa and the Affordable Bomb Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists p 44 External links editPhotographs of the shafts being sealed nbsp This South African military article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Vastrap amp oldid 1172574575, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
