Aero-TV: The Titan Missile Program - Historical Exhibit and Launch Simulator

Description

The Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum's Titan II Missile Built in 1967, the Titan II intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) displayed at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum is one of only five on exhibit in the world. Developed to deter a Soviet nuclear attack on the United States, over 140 Titan II missiles stood guard during the cold war, capable of striking a target more than 9300 miles away. Each missile carried a nine-megaton nuclear warhead, the single largest warhead ever fitted to an American nuclear weapon. The Titan II's reliability and lift capacity, however, made it extremely useful for more peaceful missions. The Titan II was instrumental during Project Gemini, helping NASA develop the skills necessary to reach the Moon and aiding in the development of the long-duration missions crucial to the Apollo program. Subsequently, the Titan II became the predecessor for the heavy-lift space launch vehicles (SLVs) utilized within the space program for over four decades. On loan from the United States Air Force, this particular Titan II (number B108) entered active duty in December of 1968. After fitting Titan II B108 with a single W-53 warhead, the 308th Strategic Missile Wing placed it into a hardened silo near Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. It remained there until retiring from active duty on March 24, 1986. After the 1986 Challenger disaster, the United States Air Force contracted Martin Marietta Astronautics to refurbish fourteen Titan II ICBMs for <b>...</b>

Keywords

Evergreen Museum, Gemini, Titan, Titan Missile, Titan II, ICBM, Field Trip Idea, Nuclear, Nuclear Missile, aerotv, aero-news, NASA, Peacetime Missile, Space Program

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