Near Simi Valley in Ventura County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Rocketdyne Santa Susana Field Laboratory

AIAA Historic Aerospace Site

Santa Susana Field Laboratory Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 20, 2019

1. Santa Susana Field Laboratory Marker

Inscription. On 15 November 1950, the SSFL conducted its first official test with a Rocketdyne-designed XLR43-NA-1 large liquid propellant rocket engine, which later became the Redstone engine. Encompassing 2558 acres, 18 large static test stands, 5 component test laboratories and an advanced test facility, the SSFL and its dedicated employees have provided significant contributions to U.S. rocketry and space programs for over 50 years.

Erected 2001 by American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the AIAA Historic Aerospace Sites series list.

Location. 34° 14.149′ N, 118° 40.493′ W. Marker is near Simi Valley, California, in Ventura County. It can be reached from Facility Road south of Woolsey Canyon Road, on the left when traveling south. Located in the SSFL property, only open during occasional tours by the current owner, Boeing. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Hills CA 91307, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

on Central Coast,

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rocketdyne Recreation Center (here, next to this marker); Santa Susana Railroad Depot (approx. 1.9 miles

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away); Velocipede Hand Car (approx. 1.9 miles away); Railroad Motor Car (approx. 1.9 miles away); Silvertown (approx. 2.2 miles away); a different marker also named Silvertown (approx. 2.3 miles away); T.R. Craig Residence (approx. 2.3 miles away); Orcutt Ranch (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Simi Valley.

More about this marker. A replica of this marker is located at Aerojet Rocketdyne in Canoga Park.

Regarding Rocketdyne Santa Susana Field Laboratory. SSFL was a research facility used mainly for the testing of rocket engines from 1949 to 2006, and nuclear reactors from 1953 to 1980. The site ended research operations in 2006. The years of rocket testing and nuclear reactor testing have left the site significantly contaminated. Environmental cleanup is ongoing. The facility is not open to the public except during occasional guided tours by the current owner, Boeing.

At the marker dedication ceremony in 2001, attendees had the opportunity to witness a rocket motor test (including me, -CB).

Located within the

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 20, 2019

2. Santa Susana Field Laboratory Marker

The playground equipment is from a long-gone employees' recreation center in nearby West Hills.

Santa Susana Field Laboratory is Burro Flats Painted Cave, with the best-preserved Indian pictographs in Southern California, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. — The replica marker at Aerojet Rocketdyne in Canoga Park.

SSFL Main Gate image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, June 9, 2018

3. SSFL Main Gate

Rocket Test Stand image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2014

4. Rocket Test Stand

Marker Dedication Attendee Badge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, May 3, 2024

5. Marker Dedication Attendee Badge

Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 6, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 1,740 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 6, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on May 3, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.