Main entry point PCT1 Rustrel

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Former 1e Groupe Missiles Strategiques (GMS) Launch Control Center 1 for half of the 18 French Air Force surface-to-surface nuclear SSBS-S2 and later S-3 missiles which were located underground at the Plateau Albion.

Appx. 500m deep inside the rocks two PCT's were completely isolated from the surface. The only visible thing of the entrance was a large concrete platform with armored steel door, surrounded by a lightened electrified doublefence around it and a remote controlled turning cage type entry. The complete outside hi-sec area was camera controlled.

Once through the turning cage and the armored steel entry door the acces control officer was reached and after ID verification permission was granted to continue through the tunnel.

The lightened tunnel was 6 m in diameter and contained some electric golf car like transport vehicles which were used to go inside the mountain. Passing by the airlocks at 350 m and at 437 m the tunnel turned right to the launch control center.

The complex was manned on a 24/7 base by a crew of 10 military (2 mechanics, 6 security commandos and 2 launch control officiers). Shift change was after 24 h. Transport was by helicopter or by car.

Current status: decommisioned but still existing and converted into Low Noise Scientific Laboratory.

Watch the video (French) about this facility:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hXliUsZOg4

Photo impression:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/Tunnel_post...
www.capcomespace.net/dossiers/espace_europeen/albion/al...
www.capcomespace.net/dossiers/espace_europeen/albion/al...
www.capcomespace.net/dossiers/espace_europeen/albion/al...
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/de/SSBS_S2_%28...
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Missile_S3_...