Posts: 54951 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-23-2010 01:07 PM
Patrick Air Force Base release
Patrick AFB honors 60th Anniversary of historic launch
The 45th Space Wing celebrated the 60th anniversary of the inaugural launch from its Eastern Range here today.
This historic launch, which featured a Bumper 8 launch vehicle and was primarily composed of a captured V-2 rocket, occurred on July 24, 1950.
"The Bumper 8 was a significant launch in space history," said Col. Lee Rosen, 45th Space Wing Launch Group commander and the presiding officer for the anniversary event. "It paved the way for modern spacelift operations that we use today as the world's premiere space faring nation."
The Bumper launches were designed to investigate launching techniques and to gather data on staging events and maneuvers at high velocity. Furthermore, the Bumper was able to reach higher altitudes than any other missile had achieved up to that time and proved to be a strong foundation for further launch experimentation and future missile designs.
The mission of the 45th SW is to assure access to the higher frontier in support of global operations, while delivering space effects that protect and defend our nation through Global Vigilance, Reach and Power.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 54951 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
Sixty years ago Saturday morning (July 24), a 62-foot rocket stood ready to launch from the east coast of Florida, destined to make history — not so much for where it was going, but for where it was departing.
Bumper 8, a two-stage vehicle built from a U.S.-modified, World War II-captured German V-2 missile and a sounding rocket upper-stage, became the first to liftoff from what is now known as Cape Canaveral.
oly Member
Posts: 1502 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 10-06-2018 10:26 AM
As pictured above (and from the NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day), it seems safety standards have changes over the years.
Ronpur Member
Posts: 1261 From: Brandon, Fl Registered: May 2012
posted 10-06-2018 08:31 PM
This photo shows a photo one of these photographers must have taken.
oly Member
Posts: 1502 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 10-06-2018 09:51 PM
Great image. This film also look to have been taken from the same location. I wonder where on the Cape map these guys were standing?
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3202 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 07-24-2025 12:11 PM
Happy 75th anniversary! From the NASA site:
First Rocket Launch from Cape Canaveral. The Bumper V-2 launched from Cape Canaveral this July 24, 1950. In the 75 years since this milestone, this facility has seen thousands of rockets take to the skies, destined for Earth orbit, the Moon, planets, and even beyond.
Jim Behling Member
Posts: 2001 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
posted 07-24-2025 06:13 PM
quote:Originally posted by oly: I wonder where on the Cape map these guys were standing?
posted 07-23-2010 01:07 PM
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