Vastrap

Vastrap

and Convert|216|m|ft in depth and Convert|1|m|ft in diameter were drilled from 1975-1977 [cite paper|title=South Africa and the Affordable Bomb|publisher=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists|author=David Albright|date=July/Aug 1994|vol=50|pages=p37-47|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20050412005857/www.thebulletin.org/article.php?art_ofn=ja94albright#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 [cite web|publisher=Carnegie Endowment|date=2007-07-24|title=Tracking South Africa|url=http://carnegieendowment.org/files/Tracking_SAfrica.pdf] .

Detection

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 applied pressure for it to be closed. [cite book|title=Of Warriors, Lovers, and Prophets: Unusual Stories from South Africa's Past|publisher=New Holland Publishers|date=2004|isbn=186872901X|last=du Preez|first=Max] France also insisted on closure, threatening cancellation of the Koeberg nuclear power station contract. [cite book|title=From Defence to Development: Redirecting Military Resources in South Africa|isbn=0889368538|publisher=International Development Research Centre|pages=1921|accessdate=2008-01-04|date=1998]

Airstrip

The airfield is operated by AFB Bloemspruit.

References

ee also

*South Africa and weapons of mass destruction

External links

* [http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Safrica/SABuildingBombs.html Photographs of the shafts being sealed]


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