[1] US KH-4 reconnaissance satellite passes in 1963 showed no aircraft activity at the base[2] but indicated an exceptionally long 15,000 ft (4600 m) runway.

However this runway was made of graded earth and analysts determined the airfield was probably not usable during the summertime due to mud and drainage across the surfaces.

[2] The airfield was likely intended as a winter season arctic staging base, as the open tundra and packed snow would allow for large numbers of bomber aircraft to be serviced with minimal infrastructure.

[citation needed] The position of Aspidnoye on the shore of the Arctic Ocean would have given it access to northern resupply ship routes for fuel supplies.

A defense radar facility, probably a P-14 Tall King unit, exists on satellite imagery 14 km northwest of the airfield.