United States Early Missile and Space Vehicle Illustrations

Scope and Contents

Collection consists of 18 black and white silver gelatin 8 x 10 inch print photographs of concept illustrations and diagrams relating to United States intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and space vehicle projects circa the mid-1950s through the mid-1960s. Projects depicted include Atlas ICBM (SM-65), Nova Launch Vehicle, Thor-Delta launch vehicle, Blue Scout Rocket Vehicle, Titan III-C Launch Vehicle, Dyna-Soar, Northrop M2 Lifting Body, and the Explorer 12 and Ariel 1 satellite programs. Also included are illustrations of support vehicles such as an Advanced Range Instrumentation Ship (ARIS) and a Missile Crawler-Transporter Facility. Illustrations are from the US Air Force, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Convair Division of General Dynamics Corporation, or unknown military or commercial sources.

Arrangement

Photographs are grouped by subject and arranged in NASM Archives image number order.

Biographical / Historical

Soon after World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union became locked in a global conflict pitting democracy against communism. Space became a critical theater in this Cold War, as each side competed to best the other's achievements in what became known as the Space Race. Scientific projects were designed to learn more about the ionosphere and the near-Earth orbital environment while military projects focused on ways to make use of sub-orbital and orbital vehicles for reconnaissance and defense purposes.

The photographs in this collection were retrieved by the donor after disposal of the prints at Joint Base Andrews (formerly Andrews Air Force Base), Maryland, circa 2014.