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

Nike Ajax with Launcher

Photographed by James Hulse, July 24, 2024

1. Nike Ajax with Launcher Marker

Inscription. The MIM-3 Nike Ajax was the world's first operational surface-to-air missile (SAM). Designed to intercept high-altitude aircraft, the vehicle consisted of a solid-propellant booster and a liquid-fueled upper stage. The first Nike Ajax flew at White Sands Proving Ground (now White Sands Missile Range), New Mexico in 1951 and was operational from 1954 to 1963. The more advanced Nike Hercules replaced the Ajax.

Length - 34 feet, 10 inches (10.6 meters)
Diameter - 12 inches (30.5 cm)
Weight - 2,455 pounds (1,114 kg)
Range - 30 miles (48 km)
Speed - Mach 2.3 (1,710 mph / 2,760 km/h @ 50,000 ft.)
Altitude Limit - 70,000 feet (21,336 meters)

Fun Fact: The lower portion of the rocket, the Nike solid fuel booster 1st stage, provided 59,000 lbs. (262.4 kn) of thrust for just 3 seconds. This short burst of thrust pushed the one ton missile up through the sound barrier.

Captions
Nike Ajax on loan from the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, Albuquerque, NM NMMSH MIL061.007 Launcher on loan from NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center, Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VANMMSH #IL125.002

Erected by New

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Mexico Museum of Space History.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical year for this entry is 1951.

Location. 32° 55.277′ N, 105° 55.299′ 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 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: Ground Meteorological Device (a few steps from this marker); F-1 Rocket Engine (a few steps from this marker); Aerobee 150 (within shouting distance of this marker); Lance Missile (within shouting distance of

Nike Ajax with Launcher and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 24, 2024

2. Nike Ajax with Launcher and Marker

this marker); IGOR Intercept Ground Optical Recorder (within shouting distance of this marker); PTV Parachute Test Vehicle (within shouting distance of this marker); XQ-4A Drone (within shouting distance of this marker); V-2 Rocket Engine (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alamogordo.

Also see . . . MIM-3 Nike Ajax. Wikipedia

The Nike Ajax was an American guided surface-to-air missile (SAM) developed by Bell Labs for the United States Army. The world's first operational guided surface-to-air missile, the Nike Ajax was designed to attack conventional bomber aircraft flying at high subsonic speeds and altitudes above 50,000 feet (15 km). Nike entered service in 1954 and was initially deployed within the United States to defend against potential Soviet bomber attacks, though it was later deployed overseas to protect US military bases, and was also sold to various allied militaries. Some examples remained in use until the 1970s.

(Submitted on August 11, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Nike Ajax with Launcher image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 24, 2024

3. Nike Ajax with Launcher

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 385 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 11, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.