Redstone Test Stand

  • Also Known As: Interim Test Stand

  • Address: George C. Marshall Space flight Center
  • Travel Genus: Sight
  • Sight Category: Structure

The Redstone Test Stand is the oldest static firing facility at the Marshall Space Flight Center, in Huntsville, Alabama. Constructed by the Ordnance Guided Missile Center at Redstone Arsenal and transferred to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1960, the Redstone Test Stand was the first test stand in the United States to accommodate the entire launch vehicle for static tests. Prior to this, test stands had accommodated the engine only. The Redstone Test Stand was an important facility in developing the Jupiter C and the Mercury-Redstone vehicles that launched the first American satellite and the first American manned space flight, along with developing the launch procedures vital to manned space flight.

After the USSR opened the space age in October 1957 by orbiting Sputnik I, the Army Redstone Team led by Dr Werner von Braun was directed to attempt a satellite launch, a feat accomplished on January 31, 1958. The Mercury-Redstone vehicle was tested at the Redstone Test Stand and two of these vehicles eventually carried men into space. As the space program grew and expanded, more sophisticated test sites were required. The Redstone Test Stand was phased out of the active test program in 1961 and all usable equipment was removed. - NPS


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Timeline

Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
1953/00/00 Wernher von Braun Engineer Dr Wernher von Braun's group builds the Interim Test Stand at Redstone Arsenal
1957/00/00 United States Army Architect Permanent Static Test Tower built

Data »

Particulars for Redstone Test Stand:
Criteria Architecture-Engineering
Area of Significance Aviation, Air-related
Area of Significance Engineering
Area of Significance Exploration-settlement
Owner Federal
Criteria Historic Event
Area of Significance Military
Level of Significance National
Historic Use Research facility
Area of Significance Science
Sight Category Structure



US National Registry of Historic Places Data »

Accurate at time of registration: 13th May 1976

PLACE DETAILS
Registry Name: Redstone Test Stand
Registry Address: George C. Marshall Space Flight Center
Registry Number: 76000341
Resource Type: Structure
Owner: Federal
Architect: U.S. Army
Area in Acres: 2
Contributing Buildings: 1
Contributing Structures: 2
Other Certification: Designated National Landmark
Certification: Listed in the National Register
Nominator Name: National Historic Landmark
CULTURAL DETAILS
Level of Significance: National
Area of Significance: Engineering, Military, Exploration-settlement, Science
Applicable Criteria: Event, Architecture-Engineering
Criteria Consideration: Significance of less than fifty years
Period of Significance: 1950-1974
Significant Year: 1953
Historic Function: Education, Transportation
Historic Sub-Function: Air-related, Research facility
Current Function: Recreation and Culture
Current Sub-Function: Museum

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