SINE

I know I’m space guy in this company, but I not really interested in this because, well, is just history at this point. But Aura thought I might be, so since it’s not far from Kitt Peak, here is the news:

Pima Air and Space Museum (promotional flier).

"Pima Air & Space Museum’s Titan Missile Museum is located in Green Valley just 20 minutes south of Tucson. For over 20 years during the Cold War fifty-four Titan II missiles ... were kept loaded with propellants and nuclear warheads in their hardened underground silos … able to be launched within one minute from the time an order was received … manned by highly trained combat crews twenty four hours a day…. The warhead . . . [on display in Green Valley] was the largest single nuclear weapon carried on any of the United States strategic missiles.

"With the exception of [this] Titan Missile Site 571-7 [in Green Valley], all of the Titan II missile sites were destroyed over a five year period beginning in 1982. Facility destruction included implosion of the silos, filling the access portal and escape tunnel with concrete and welding Blast Door Six shut. None of the 53 demolished silos can be easily refurbished for any purpose. Each missile was removed at the time of deactivation . . . [and the missile in Green Valley has had holes cut in its propellant tanks] to ensure that this missile will never become an active weapon. [Also,] … a skylight was added over the half-open area of the launch duct to provide environmental protection and to permit satellite observation [by Russia]...

"… [This site is] designated a National Historic Landmark.… The below ground facilities are almost fully restored ….[and] contain essentially all of the original equipment intact. The missile silo has 8 levels, each still containing the original equipment in the silo at the time the site was retired.… The missile silo was [originally] covered by a 740 ton silo closure door to protect the missile from nearby blast, radiation or inclement weather. This massive door could roll back 30 feet in 20 seconds to permit missile launch. To be capable of operation after a first-strike attack, the silo closure door is designed to operate with up to a 6 foot layer of dirt and debris resting on it. Launch-critical equipment within the silo is suspended by springs. Within the launch duct, the missile is shock isolated by huge spring assemblies supporting a giant thrust mount upon which the missile sits.… The Launch Control Center is a three story cylindrical concrete and steel structure within which a three story building is suspended by eight massive springs connected to the second level and the roof of the Launch Control Center dome.…

[And here’s the one thing I found kind of interesting:]

The Air Force has used the refurbished missiles as satellite launch vehicles. [Also, Astronaut Neil Armstrong’s first trip into space was aboard a Titan II.]

● Titan Missile Museum - Intro

● Directions, Hours, Contact

● Tours, Tickets

● 10 day weather forecast

● Get book