The Rockets and Missiles of White Sands Proving Ground, 1945-1958

The Rockets and Missiles of White Sands Proving Ground, 1945-1958
Author: Gregory P. Kennedy
Publisher: Schiffer Pub Limited
Total Pages: 168
Release: 2009
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780764332517

In 1945, the United States Army established a testing center for rockets and guided missiles in south-central New Mexico. Named White Sands Proving Ground, this center was the locale for many of Americas first steps towards space. Rockets and Missiles of White Sands Proving Ground chronicles major activities at the base from 1945-1958. During this period, the Army, Navy, and Air Force all tested missiles at the desert installation. This book details the development and testing for such missiles as Hermes, Corporal, Nike Ajax, Sergeant, Honest John, and Viking. These missiles formed the backbone of much of Americas arsenal during the Cold War and represented major technological advancements. In 1958, the White Sands Proving Ground became the White Sands Missile Range, as it is known today.

White Sands Missile Range

White Sands Missile Range
Author: Darren Court
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
Total Pages: 132
Release: 2009
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780738558783

Since the official flag raising on July 9, 1945, the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) has become an integral part of global defense for the United States. A mere week after formation, Project Trinity tested the first atomic bomb at an isolated site, which was 100 miles north on what was then part of the Alamogordo Bombing Range--a test site for B-17 pilots. Back at White Sands Proving Ground, as it was then named, personnel were unaware of the massive new weapon tested to their north. Instead their focus was upon the arrival of what would be 300 railroad cars of captured German V-2 rockets and associated equipment. Later that year, over 100 captured German scientists, among them Werner von Braun, would arrive at White Sands to assist in V-2 technology, launching America's race to space; tens of thousands of rockets and missiles have since been fired on the range. Thousands of family members also lived and worked at the range, and their stories can be found inside as well.

Pocketful of Rockets

Pocketful of Rockets
Author: Jim Eckles
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2013-10-04
Genre: Guided missile bases
ISBN: 9781492773504

An informative and entertaining look at the history of White Sands Missile Range. Not only does the author delve into V-2 rockets, missiles gone astray into Mexico, and the introduction of African oryx, but he also tells how the Apache fought buffalo soldiers there in 1880, how Sheriff Pat Garrett investigated the Albert Fountain murder and how ranchers lived on the parched lands raising both cattle and goats.The history of the first atomic bomb test at Trinity Site is covered in detail as well the various searches for the fabulous and mythical Victorio Peak treasure of gold bars. Eckles even provides the military history behind programs responsible for the Roswell UFO phenomenon. The author worked in the missile range's Public Affairs Office for 30 years and had access to most of the Range. He interviewed many of its early pioneers, men and women who made White Sands the birthplace of America's missile and space activities. In the process, he collected many stories that provide that extra insight into the historical events he writes about. This is a rare look under the covers at the largest military installation in America. The missile range's isolation and sensitive testing mission have made it relatively invisible to most. Pocketful of Rockets reveals some of that history and provides a look at the landscape before the military moved in.

White Sands Missile Range

White Sands Missile Range
Author: Robert Rook
Publisher: CreateSpace
Total Pages: 172
Release: 2012-07-11
Genre:
ISBN: 9781475139297

Pictures and Text about missiles and rockets on display at Missile Park Museum, White Sands Missile Range (WSMR)

"We Develop Missiles, Not Air!" The Legacy of Early Missile, Rocket, Instrumentation, and Aeromedical Research Development at Holloman Air Force Base, Project Manhigh

Author: Department of Defense
Publisher:
Total Pages: 195
Release: 2017-04-16
Genre:
ISBN: 9781521078822

This report contains an investigation of the history of missile, rocket, instrumentation, and aeromedical research programs conducted at and around Holloman Air Force Base. Research was completed for 11 programs, including six missile and rocket development complexes, a series of instrumentation facilities used to support missile testing, and four programs involved in aeromedical research. Newspapers, magazines, formerly classified military records, and interviews with people involved provided information about the innumerable testing programs carried out in the area. Archaeological investigations were also conducted at the various sites to document and identify those remains still existing today. The results of this research indicates HAFB played a primary role in the early Cold War development of many programs which represented the beginnings of the United States space program. Holloman AFB is located on the eastern edge of White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) within the Tularosa Basin of south-central New Mexico. These two military installations have played an important part in the United States' effort towards 'Man In Space' and the maintenance of the defense posture of this country. The onset of World War II was responsible for the establishment of the Alamogordo Bombing and Gunnery Range (now HAFB). The early space-related efforts were carried out on the Range after it was integrated with White Sands Proving Grounds (now WSMR) at the end of the war. HAFB officials, cognizant of the base's important role in U.S. aerospace development, are now attempting to preserve a portion of this early history to preclude it from being lost forever. Contents: Preface * Acknowledgments * List of Acronyms * Abstract * Introduction * Physical and Historical Background * Physical Environment * Project Location * Tularosa Basin Environment * Military Potential * Historical Background * Space Technology in New Mexico * Holloman Air Force Base * Target: Alamogordo * Research Questions and Methodology * Research Questions * Methodology * Missile and Rocket Complexes * Ground-to-Air Pilotless Aircraft (GAPA) * Historical Background * Archaeological Perspective * North American Test Instrument Vehicle (NATIV) * Historical Background * Archaeological Background * Jet-Bomb 2 (JB-2) * The German Vengeance Weapon (V-1) * The American Jet Bomb 2 * Archaeological Perspective * Aerobee Rocket * Historical Background.. * Archaeological Perspective * Able 51 * Historical Background. * Archaeological Perspective * Horizontal Test Stand * Historical Background. * Architectural Perspective. * Instrumentation Facilities * Cinetheodolite Stations * Historical Background * Archaeological Perspective * Mart Site (HAR-018r, LA 107798) * Pritch Site (HAR-007, LA 99633) * Sole Site (HAR-005, LA 99457). * Bern Site (HAR-021, LA 102577) * Features 121 and 144 (HAR-041, LA 104274) * Aeromedical Research * Aeromedical Research Laboratory * Holloman Zoo * Rockets and Balloons * Subgravity * Escape Physiology * Automotive Crash Forces * Bopper Sled * Swing Seat * Daisy Track * Project Excelsior * Project Manhigh * Background History * Holloman AFB Programs * Summary and Conclusion * The Programs * The Early Years, 1947-1949 * Missile Test Stands Area * Instrumentation Sites - Cinetheodolite Stations * Aeromedical Research * Further Advances, 1950-1969 * Able 51 * High Speed Test Track * Instrumentation Sites - Missile Theodolite Towers * Aeromedical Research * End of Era, 1970 - present * Archaeological Sites * Missile Test Stands Area * Able 51 * Cinetheodolite Stations * Historic Buildings * Conclusions * Recommendations * National Register Eligibility * Management Considerations * Project Analysis * Future Research * Interpretive Possibilities * Endnotes * Bibliography * General References