Vastrap

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Vastrap Test Range Airfield
IATA: - ICAO: FAVS
Summary
Airport type		Military
Operator		SAAF (AFB Bloemspruit)
Serves		Vastrap Weapons Range
Elevation AMSL		3234 ft (986 m)
Coordinates		27°50′5″S 21°37′50″E / -27.83472, 21.63056 (Vastrap)Coordinates: 27°50′5″S 21°37′50″E / -27.83472, 21.63056 (Vastrap)
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
Direction	ft	m	Surface
18/36	5249	1,600	Asphalt

Vastrap (Afrikaans: "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 atomic bomb test site.

1 Atomic Testing
2 Detection
3 Airstrip
4 References
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] Atomic Testing

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 (1,260 ft) and 216 metres (710 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].

[edit] 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.^[5] France also insisted on closure, threatening cancellation of the Koeberg nuclear power station contract.^[6]

[edit] Airstrip

The airfield is operated by AFB Bloemspruit.

[edit] References

^ Discussing the Detonation Effects of Large Charges p2. South African Navy (August 9, 2006).
^ Jan Van Loggerenberg, Richardt Van Der Walt (2005). Armament and Disarmament: South Africa's Nuclear Experience. iUniverse. ISBN 0595356656.
^ David Albright (July/Aug 1994). "South Africa and the Affordable Bomb". p37-47. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
^ Tracking South Africa. Carnegie Endowment (2007-07-24).
^ du Preez, Max (2004). Of Warriors, Lovers, and Prophets: Unusual Stories from South Africa's Past. New Holland Publishers. ISBN 186872901X.
^ (1998) From Defence to Development: Redirecting Military Resources in South Africa. International Development Research Centre, 1921. ISBN 0889368538.