In remote places, you have to improvise with what you’ve got. Would you launch this missile?

The launch tower was clearly bent to the point of being unusable as intended (which is to give an anchoring guide rail for the rocket to make sure it reaches a stable flight speed before flying free. Otherwise, it could pivot randomly before coming up to speed).

So instead, they have just lashed the top with some wire, which will hopefully break free upon launch… and the rocket will be unanchored and free-flying moments after ignition….

I have never seen a hobbyist try a launch rig this dangerous….

For the curious, I’ll post some more photos below later tonight.

11 responses to “Jerry-rigged Nike Tomahawk in Antarctica”

  1. Astrocatou Avatar
    Astrocatou

    10 bucks its a flameout of some sort…
    Why in Antarctica…???

    Reply
  2. jurvetson Avatar
    jurvetson

    Of course they did…

    rocketLiftOff

    My buddy Ken was working there in 1980-81 and has kept these photos for 30 years. I just digitized them, so they probably have not seen online before.

    It was part of a research project to launch scientific payloads up into the plasmapause.

    More info

    “The objectives of these payloads were to investigate energetic particle preciptation produced by natural and artificial wave particle interactions in the region between 90 and 190 km. The N-T vehicles had two electron detectors, an electrostatic analyzer for the energy range 0.1-16 keV and a solid-state detector for higher energies. The N-T payloads also carried a complement of vector ac and dc electric and magnetic field detectors. All three of the N-T flights were accompanied by SuperArcas rockets.”

    Keeping their rocket warm….
    rocketSnow

    Ken also kept this souvenir – a piece of a Nike Tomahawk found at a nearby crater:

    Nike Fragment

    Reply
  3. Astrocatou Avatar
    Astrocatou

    i bet in your next/previous life running a sounding rocket range would suit.

    Canada had a station at ? Churchill;
    http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/blabrant.htm

    Reply
  4. Astrocatou Avatar
    Astrocatou

    blackbrant2.com/BALLS.htm

    and the real deal;
    spacegizmo.livingdazed.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Bla…

    Reply
  5. advocate4cf Avatar
    advocate4cf

    Steve that is a way awesome set of pictures. I would love to fly 1 just like it.

    Reply
  6. Jef Poskanzer Avatar
    Jef Poskanzer

    It looks like there are stars visible in daylight here.

    Reply
  7. thepretenda Avatar
    thepretenda

    What a great shot of improv!!

    Reply
  8. jurvetson Avatar
    jurvetson

    yeah, the top shot really grabbed me. My favorite of the lot.

    Jef – yeah, it’s full of stars at full size. Gotta love clean air. We are heading to the least light-polluted part of the lower 48 states next week for the RocketMavericks’ launch. Tom and some of the team will sleep under the Milky Way…

    Dave – yes!!! And we try to simulate an active range each summer in the desert. You linked to one of the BALLS projects. Here are my photos from that eponymous event…. =)

    Reply
  9. Stepping Stones Magazine Avatar
    Stepping Stones Magazine

    We use your photo in this story: fspressonline.org/SSM/the-moonbabe/

    Reply
  10. ECayemberg Avatar
    ECayemberg

    Awesome photo (and series)!

    Any idea if this photo is from the 12-12-80, 12-20-80, or 1-10-81 flight?

    Reply
  11. phcpaul Avatar
    phcpaul

    I was a Second Class US Navy Photographers Mate documenting the three launches for NSF with still photography and 16mm motion picture. The image of the launch with Siple Station signage and building was photographed by me. I believe the year was 1981.
    http://www.southpolestation.com/trivia/history/history.html#8182

    Reply

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