U.S. Army PGM-11 Redstone

First test-launched in August, 1953, the Redstone Medium-Range Ballistic Missile evolved from a five-year Army research and development program. Named for Redstone Arsenal, where it was developed, it played a crucial role in the U.S.'s defense capability as a mobile missile that combat-ready soldiers could launch on the battlefield. In June, 1958, it entered service with U.S. Army units stationed in Germany. Because of its proven reliability, the Redstone rocket also served additional roles. In January, 1958, a modified Redstone, renamed Juno I, launched the first U.S. satellite, Explorer I, into Earth orbit. By 1960, NASA had modified the vehicle for launching America's first manned spacecraft, Project Mercury. This Redstone missile was used to train soldier on its operation during the Redstone Mechanical Material Maintenance Course at Redstone Arsenal. It measured 69.3 feet long, 5.8 feet in diameter, and 12 feet in finspan, weighed 61,300 pounds, produced 78,000 pounds of thrust, reached 3,800 miles per hour, had a range of 200 miles, used liquid oxygen and ethyl alcohol as propellants, and was built by Chrysler Corporation for the U.S. Ordnance Guided Missile Center.

Huntsville, Alabama · United States