Launch Complex 33
United States historic place in White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Added to the National Register in 1985, and a National Historic Landmark.
What it is
The White Sands V-2 Launching Site, also known as Launch Complex 33 and originally as Army Launch Area Number 1, is an historic rocket launch complex at White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico. It was here that the United States first performed test launches of German V-2 rockets captured toward the end of World War II. These tests were the first step in both military advances in rocketry, and in the development of the United States space exploration programs. The site was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1985.
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
The record
| Property type | Site |
| Address | White Sands Missile Range, White Sands Missile Range, NM |
| County | Dona Ana County |
| Listed | Oct 3, 1985 |
| Listed for | Military, Exploration and settlement, Science |
| Level of significance | National |
| Also known as | White Sands V-2 Launching Site; White Sands Blockhouse and Ga |
| Reference number | 85003541 |
| Type of place | spaceport |
| Designations | National Historic Landmark, listed on the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties |
| Contributing resources | 2 structures, 1 site |
The nomination form, the document that argues why this place matters, is in the National Archives: Read the nomination ↗
Visiting
| Address | White Sands Missile Range, White Sands Missile Range, NM |
| Coordinates | 32.4012° N, 106.3784° W · Directions ↗ |
| Nearest national park unit | Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail · 26 miles · on Park Atlas |
| Federal campgrounds nearby | Aguirre Spring Recreation Area And Campground 11 miles |
Explore
Drawings & photographs
Measured drawings and photographs from the Library of Congress. Public domain. All 8 records ↗
Map
Nearby in Dona Ana County
Guidebooks to historic places and travel in New Mexico
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
When was Launch Complex 33 listed on the National Register?
Oct 3, 1985. It is also a National Historic Landmark, the higher of the two designations.
Source: National Park Service
Where is Launch Complex 33?
White Sands Missile Range, White Sands Missile Range, Dona Ana County, New Mexico. The nearest national park unit is Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail, 26 miles away.
What does the Launch Complex 33 listing include?
The listing counts 3 contributing resources. Those are 2 structures and 1 site. A contributing resource is a part of the listed property that carries its historic significance.
Source: National Park Service
Are there historic photographs or drawings of Launch Complex 33?
Yes. The Historic American Buildings Survey at the Library of Congress has drawings or photographs of it.
Source: Library of Congress
Where is the nomination form for Launch Complex 33?
The National Archives holds the nomination form, the document that made the case for listing.
Source: National Archives
Are there campgrounds near Launch Complex 33?
One federal campground is within reach, Aguirre Spring Recreation Area And Campground, 11 miles away.
Source: Campsite Atlas
Is there cell service at Launch Complex 33?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE and T-Mobile 5G at the listed point. Coverage indoors and behind old masonry is another matter.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
Sources
Location, type and contributing counts come from the National Park Service's National Register spatial data. Listing dates come from the National Register office's spreadsheet where it carries the listing. Construction date, architect, style, photograph and encyclopedia link come from Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons, matched on reference number 85003541. Nothing here is transcribed by hand. The nomination form and photographs ↗ at NPGallery are the original nomination as filed with the National Park Service, and the form is often the best description of the place. The description under "What it is" is the opening of the Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA. Drawings and photographs are Historic American Buildings Survey records at the Library of Congress, public domain.