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

Aerobee 150

Photographed by James Hulse, July 24, 2024

1. Aerobee 150 Marker

Inscription.
The Aerobee 150 was a two-stage research rocket with a solid-fuel booster and a liquid-fuel sustainer. 1,037 Aerobee variants flew from November 24, 1947 to January 17, 1985. Many of these were launched from White Sands Missile Range. These rockets carried instruments to explore the upper atmosphere, as well as scientific and biological payloads.

Manufacturer - Aerobee General Corporation
Length - 30 feet (9.1 meters)
Max Altitude - 170 miles (270 km)
Thrust - First Stage: 18,600 pounds (82,800 newtons) Second Stage: 4,100 pounds (18,000 newtons)

Fun Fact: Even though the rockets in the Aerobee series were only 41.3 feet (12.6 meters) long at the most, the launch tower had to be 174 feet (53 meters) tall so that the rocket could get up enough speed for its fins to be effective in controlling attitude.

[Caption:]
Acquired by transfer from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and the former Naval Ordnance Missile Test Station, White Sands Missile Range, NM-NMMSH 885.005.001

Erected by New Mexico Museum of Space History.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical date for this entry is January 17, 1985.

Location. 32° 55.269′ N,

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105° 55.286′ 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: Lance Missile (here, next to this marker); XQ-4A Drone (here, next to this marker); F-1 Rocket Engine (a few steps from this marker); Ground Meteorological Device (a few steps from this marker); V-2 Rocket Engine (a few steps from this marker); PTV Parachute Test Vehicle (a few steps from this marker); X-7A Test Vehicle (a few steps from this marker); IGOR Intercept Ground Optical Recorder

Aerobee 150 Marker (left side) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 24, 2024

2. Aerobee 150 Marker (left side)

(within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alamogordo.

Also see . . . Aerobee. Wikipedia

The Aerobee rocket was one of the United States' most produced and productive sounding rockets. Developed by the Aerojet Corporation, the Aerobee was designed to combine the altitude and launching capability of the V-2 with the cost effectiveness and mass production of the WAC Corporal. More than 1000 Aerobees were launched between 1947 and 1985, returning vast amounts of astronomical, physical, aeronomical, and biomedical data.

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

The Aerobee 150 missile is on the left side of the two missiles image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 24, 2024

3. The Aerobee 150 missile is on the left side of the two missiles

Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 231 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 11, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.