COSMIC AREA 51  

PLEASE REMEMBER BEFORE VIEWING THESE PICTURES..
THE US GOVERNMENT STATE THAT THIS BASE DOES NOT EXIST!
AREA 51 THROUGH THE AGES

New Imagery of Area 51 was released on 17 April 2000. The Aerial Images were acquired by Russia's Space Information KVR-1000 satellite system. We have reproduced them here so
you can compare how this site has enlarged over the past few years.
 

New Runway
One of the most obvious changes from 1968 to 1998 is the construction of a new 11,960 foot runway replacing the older 12,400 foot runway 32 Left to the west. Runway 32 Right. The Southern end of Runway 32R is blackened with about twice the tire skid marks than at the north end of the runway suggesting that the prevailing winds are from the north throughout most of the year. It is not clear how far on to the dry lake the Runway 32 Right overrun extends. At the south end of 32R there are six final flight check spaces on the runway apron. At each end of the runway there is a runway barrier net and arresting cable
 
28 August 1968 - USGS Aerial imagery
15 March 1998 - SPIN-2 2-meter
02 April 2000 - IKONOS 1-meter

North Base
The four large hangars at the north of the base, present in the 1968 image, have evidently been enlarged by the time of the 1998 image. In addition, the housing complex for base personnel -- the large array of smaller buildings to the south of the hangars, has been entirely rebuilt between 1968 and 1998, with the additional of new support facilities. A B-52 aircraft is visible in the 1968 image. No aircraft are visible in the 1998 image or the 2000 scene.
 
28 August 1968 - USGS Aerial imagery
 15 March 1998 - SPIN-2 2-meter 
02 April 2000 - IKONOS 1-meter

South Base Hangars
Perhaps the most significant expansion in operational capabilities is noted in the southern part of the base. The half dozen hangars present in the 1968 image are all evident in the 1998 image, but the total number of hangars in this area has doubled during the intervening three decades. The most noteworthy addition is the hangar with the high peaked roof visible in the top of the 1998 image.
 
28 August 1968 - USGS Aerial imagery
15 March 1998 - SPIN-2 2-meter
02 April 2000 - IKONOS 1-meter 

Tank Farm - South Base
The tank farm visible in the 1968 image, consisting of seven large storage tanks and three smaller tanks, remains visible in the 1998 image. The wide separation of the larger tanks is suggestive of fuel for aircraft. The 1988 imagery shows a large asphalt plant, that was used to construct the new 11,960 foot runway.
 
28 August 1968 - USGS Aerial imagery
15 March 1998 - SPIN-2 2-meter
02 April 2000 - IKONOS 1-meter

New Construction - South Base
Ikonos imagery has revealed that this 32 acre facility is a small weapons storage area with three small igloos and two larger igloos.
 
28 August 1968 - USGS Aerial imagery
15 March 1998 - SPIN-2 2-meter
02 April 2000 - IKONOS 1-meter

We acknowledge FAS for acquiring the above images


As you can see, the base is absolutely HUGE. It takes 3 wide
angle photos to get the whole base on film.

 
 
 
 

This is a picture which was taken by a Russian satellite... The first picture of the WHOLE base.. Above ground anyway. Strange device that overlooks the point where Groom Lake Rd crosses into the Restricted area

 
 
Close up of Hanger at Area 51
Warning signs that greet you on 
the road to Area 51
Picture of Area 51's Runway... Its the longest in the world, approximately 6 Km long! Pictures of the ET Highway which passes through Rachel, Nevada 
(Thanks to Tom Zito)