Redstone Test Stand

Redstone Test Stand
Alabama Historic Civil Engineering Landmark
Redstone Test Stand at the MSFC in Huntsville, AL. Cold Calibration Unit (left) PGM-11 Redstone missile in static test stand (right)
Redstone Test Stand is located in Huntsville, Alabama
Redstone Test Stand
Redstone Test Stand is located in Alabama
Redstone Test Stand
Redstone Test Stand is located in the United States
Redstone Test Stand
Nearest cityHuntsville, Alabama
Coordinates34°37′58.7676″N 86°39′58.1436″W / 34.632991000°N 86.666151000°W / 34.632991000; -86.666151000
Built1953; 71 years ago (1953)
ArchitectU.S. Army
NRHP reference No.76000341
Significant dates
Added to NRHPMay 13, 1976[1]
Designated NHLOctober 3, 1985[2]
Designated AHCEL1979

The Redstone Test Stand or Interim Test Stand was used to develop and test fire the Redstone missile, Jupiter-C sounding rocket, Juno I launch vehicle and Mercury-Redstone launch vehicle. It was declared an Alabama Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1979[3] and a National Historic Landmark in 1985.[2] It is located at NASA's George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama on the Redstone Arsenal, designated Building 4665. The Redstone missile was the first missile to detonate a nuclear weapon. Jupiter-C launched to test components for the Jupiter missile. Juno I put the first American satellite Explorer 1 into orbit. Mercury Redstone carried the first American astronaut Alan Shepard into space. The Redstone earned the name "Old Reliable" because of this facility and the improvements it made possible.[4]

The Interim Test Stand was built in 1953 by Dr. Wernher von Braun's team for a mere US$25,000 (equivalent to $284,701 in 2023) out of materials salvaged from the Redstone Arsenal.[5] In 1957 the permanent test facility called the Static Test Tower was finally finished, but the Army decided to continue operations at the Interim Test Stand rather than move.[6] From 1953 to 1961, 362 static rocket tests were conducted there, including 200 that led directly to improvements in the Redstone rocket for the Mercury crewed flight program. Adapted over the years, it never experienced the growth in size and cost that typified test stands in general, remaining a testament to the engineering ingenuity of the rocket pioneers.[5]

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