Rocket museum director, aerospace history enthusiast, material culture expert, public historian, armadillo wrangler, and Space Coast fan.
Cape Canaveral, FL
Joined January 2020
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Today in History | 25 Oct 1997
An Atlas IIA launched from Cape Canaveral carrying 2 satellites: DSCS III B-13 for secure military coms and Falcon Gold, a pioneering U.S. Air Force Academy experiment testing GPS navigation far above the GPS constellation.
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Today in 1960, a Titan I ICBM launched from LC-19, setting a world distance record of 6,100 miles!
America’s first two-stage ICBM, the Titan I served briefly from 1962–1965 but helped pave the way for the Titan rockets that carried Gemini astronauts into orbit.
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On 5 Dec 1956, a Snark missile launched from Cape Canaveral, went rogue, and flew 3,500 miles toward Brazil's Amazon jungle. Newspapers had a field day with headlines, Soviet sabotage theories, and Snark puns.
Enjoy these period newspaper clippings!
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You can find more information on Launch Complex 5-6 here - ccspacemuseum.org/facilities….
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Today in History | 20 October 1960
A Jupiter missile launched from Cape Canaveral's LC-26A during Live System Test 217. Using tactical ground equipment, crews successfully demonstrated the missile's operational readiness. Another Cold War milestone at the Cape!
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Today in History | 19 October 1962
The USAF successfully launched an Atlas F ICBM from Cape Canaveral's LC-11. The 82-foot missile completed an R&D flight down the Eastern Range, just days before the Cuban Missile Crisis brought the Cold War to a boiling point.
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Today in History | 18 October 1962
Ranger 5 launched from Cape Canaveral's LC-12 aboard an Atlas-Agena B rocket. The rocket performed flawlessly, but the spacecraft failed, missing the Moon by 450 miles.
Every failure taught lessons.
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🚀 One week away! The Missile, Space and Range Pioneers host their Fall Banquet Oct 24 in Cocoa Beach. Founded in 1966, this nonprofit celebrates the people behind our Space Coast heritage.
🎟️ Limited tickets: missileers.org/events
Today in History | 17 October 1963
An Atlas-Agena D launched from Cape Canaveral carrying Vela 1A and 1B, the first U.S. satellites designed to detect nuclear explosions in space. The mission pioneered space-based nuclear surveillance and treaty verification.
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Today in History | 17 October 1960
The Air Force shifted away from its own human spaceflight program to support NASA's Project Mercury, providing Atlas rockets, Cape Canaveral launch facilities, and technical expertise.
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Rupert has friends! Our latest temporary exhibit at the Sands Space History Center explores the fascinating history of military and space-related mascots. We guarantee you'll learn something new!
Limited time only!
FREE admission, six days a week!
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TIH | 15 Oct 1929
Frau im Mond (The Girl in the Moon) premiered in Berlin, inspiring generations of rocket pioneers. Featuring realistic spaceflight concepts and the now-famous launch countdown, the film helped turn dreams into reality at Cape Canaveral!
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More on our Telemetry antenna here - ccspacemuseum.org/artifacts/….
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Happy 136th Birthday, President Eisenhower!
America's Space Age began with Eisenhower. His military missile programs flourished, Explorer 1 reached orbit, and NASA was established.
Kennedy aimed for the Moon. Ike helped lay the foundation!
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Today in 1959, Explorer 7 launched from the Cape aboard a Juno II rocket. Its pioneering instruments helped scientists study Earth’s energy balance, laying the groundwork for modern climate science. Another milestone in the Cape’s remarkable launch history!
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Space Jellyfish! This morning’s CRS-35 launch lit up the Space Coast! The phenomenon occurs when rocket exhaust expands in the thin upper atmosphere and catches sunlight before sunrise. Spectacular!
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DYK John Denver dreamed of going to space? An avid pilot and son of a USAF aviator, he pursued a Space Shuttle flight and even explored flying aboard a Soviet spacecraft. He never reached orbit, but his passion helped inspire generations to look toward the stars.
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More information on our Thor IRBM restoration here - ccspacemuseum.org/artifacts/….
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Happy 129th Birthday, Gen. Nathan F. Twining!
In 1954, he made Atlas a top USAF priority, accelerating missile development under Gen. Schriever. Their leadership helped transform the Cape into America's gateway to space and laid the foundation for the Space Age.
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