Alamogordo in Otero County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

IGOR Intercept Ground Optical Recorder

Photographed by James Hulse, July 24, 2024

1. IGOR Intercept Ground Optical Recorder Marker

Inscription. The IGOR was a missile-tracking telescopic camera instrument used at White Sands Missile Range from 1951-1965. It is composed of three parts: telescope, mount, and a high-speed 35mm camera. IGOR provided photographic records of missile flight performance. The mount can be moved in both horizontal and vertical directions to track missiles in flight. Newer versions of the IGOR are still in use today in many different programs.

Fun Fact: The IGOR used a modified U.S. Navy 25/Mark 19 gun mount with an optical system designed by Dr. Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of Pluto. It's optical system was so high-powered it could track missiles or objects more than 100 miles distant.

Captions
Acquired by transfer from White Sands Missile Range, NM-NMMSH #86.047.001

Erected by New Mexico Museum of Space History.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space.

Location. 32° 55.282′ N, 105° 55.282′ W. Marker is in Alamogordo, New Mexico, in Otero County. It is on State Route 2001 0.4 miles east of N Scenic Drive. The marker is located on the grounds of

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the New Mexico Museum of Space History. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3198 State Rte 2001, Alamogordo NM 88310, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Mexico’s Pecos Valley. It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: PTV Parachute Test Vehicle (a few steps from this marker); Ground Meteorological Device (a few steps from this marker); Little Joe 2 (a few steps from this marker); Crawler Transporter Shoe (a few steps from this marker); Lance Missile (a few steps from this marker); Aerobee 150 (within shouting distance of this marker); V-2 Rocket Engine (within shouting distance of this marker); X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle Mockup (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alamogordo.

The IGOR Intercept Ground Optical Recorder and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 24, 2024

2. The IGOR Intercept Ground Optical Recorder and Marker

Inside view of the IGOR Intercept Ground Optical Recorder image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 24, 2024

3. Inside view of the IGOR Intercept Ground Optical Recorder

Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 399 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 11, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.