Canoga Park in Los Angeles in Los Angeles 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, February 25, 2018

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° 14.005′ N, 118° 35.279′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Canoga Park. It can be reached from De Soto Avenue 0.2 miles south of Nordhoff Street, on the left when traveling south. Near the parking lot of Aerojet Rocketdyne. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8900 De Soto Avenue, Canoga Park CA 91304, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s The Valley — the San Fernando Valley

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: F-1 Engine (within shouting distance of this marker); Chatsworth Veterans Memorial (approx. 1½ miles

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away); Olive Trees (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Munch Box (approx. 1.8 miles away); Stagecoach Trail (approx. 2.2 miles away); Canoga Park Branch Library (approx. 2.3 miles away); Canoga Park Station (approx. 2.3 miles away); Canoga Park Fire Station #72 (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

More about this marker. This is a replica of the original marker located at SSFL.

Regarding Rocketdyne Santa Susana Field Laboratory. SSFL was a research facility located in the Santa Susana Mountains, six miles west of this marker. It was 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.

Located within the Santa Susana Field Laboratory is Burro Flats Painted Cave, with the best-preserved

Photographed by Craig Baker, May 15, 2018

2. Santa Susana Field Laboratory Marker

Indian pictographs in Southern California. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. — The original marker, located at SSFL.

SSFL Marker and F-1 Engine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, May 15, 2018

3. SSFL Marker and F-1 Engine

The rocket engine was built at the Rocketdyne factory, originally located on Canoga Avenue south of Vanowen Street.

F-1 Engine and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, May 15, 2018

4. F-1 Engine and Marker

SSFL Main Gate image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, June 9, 2018

5. SSFL Main Gate

At Woolsey Canyon Road and Black Canyon Road.

Rocket Test Stand at SSFL image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2014

6. Rocket Test Stand at SSFL

Credits. This page was last revised on December 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 1,624 times since then and 107 times this year. Last updated on February 8, 2020. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 17, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.