Rio Grande Historical Collections Photographs, 1885-1950s
Date
1946-05-10
Decade
1940s
Subject (LCSH)
V-2 rocket
Towers
WAC Corporal rocket
Rockets (Aeronautics)
White Sands Proving Ground (N.M.)
Historical context
The White Sands Proving Ground (WSPG) was established in July 9, 1945 and renamed White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in 1958. The world's first atomic bomb was detonated at Trinity Site, at the north end of WSPG, July 16, 1945. The military range served as a principal location for testing rocket technology following World War II, including V-2 rockets brought from Germany at the end of the war. WSMR is known as the birthplace of missile and space activity in the United States. The images in the collection depict WSMR views, V-2 rocket tests, Trinity Site, the old mining site of Estey City (located on the range), and personnel affiliated with operations at WSPG during the mid-1940s. The photographs were donated by the WSMR Public Affairs Office
Provenance
White Sands Missile Range, Public Affairs Office
Extent
Size original: 10 x 8 in.
Notes
Black and yellow V-2 in a black and white photograph
After this V-2 launch on May 10, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory launched one of their WAC Corporal rockets from the tower in the foreground
The Associated Press reported that the scientist lost radar track of the rocket after it reached an altitude of 10 miles
Two rockets were launched that day at the Army launch complex
Notes on recto: "V-2 FRAMED by WAC CORPORAL TOWER, 10 May 1946, U.S. Army Ordnance Proving Ground, White Sands, N.M."
Digital publisher
New Mexico State University Library
Source
NMSU Library Archives and Special Collections
Source collection name: White Sands Missile Range Photographs, 1905-1950s