White Sands LC37	home topic index
Launch Complex: LC37. White Sands. Old Name: ALA3. Latitude: 32.4155 deg. Longitude: -106.2911 deg. Used by: HEDI, Squirt. First Launch: 1964-01-01. Last Launch: 1992-08-26. Number Launches: 8. LC 37 (Army Launch Area Three) was the main test complex for the Nike Ajax and Nike Hercules surface-to-air missiles. Initial Nike unguided research and development firings were from LC-33 (Army Launch Area 1). By the time of the last firing in 1967, several thousand Nike missiles were fired from six launch sections (A through F) located several hundred meters north of the Integrated Fire Control Areas. Sections E and F were west of Range Road 15, the other sections to the east. The missile assembly building and the Ajax fueling stations were located at the western edge of the complex. LC-37, much larger complex than LC-33, extended from the HIBEX launch facility at 32.41594 N 106.31448 W to 32.41618 N 106.29109 W on the east. Section A was the location of the launcher used for the five Squirts, launched in 1964 and 1965, and Sprint PTV launches in November/December 1965. This was also the launcher used for the HEDI KITE launches, and as the Army's Advanced Gun Munitions Test Site. LC37 Chronology 1964 - Launch Vehicle: Squirt. Squirt-1 Agency: USA. Apogee: 3.00 km (1.80 mi). 1964? - Launch Vehicle: Squirt. Squirt-3 Agency: USA. Apogee: 3.00 km (1.80 mi). 1964 March 17 - Launch Vehicle: Squirt. Squirt-2 Agency: USA. Apogee: 3.00 km (1.80 mi). 1965 - Launch Vehicle: Squirt. Squirt-5 Agency: USA. Apogee: 3.00 km (1.80 mi). 1965? - Launch Vehicle: Squirt. Squirt-4 Agency: USA. Apogee: 3.00 km (1.80 mi). 1990 January 26 - Launch Vehicle: HEDI. KITE-1 test Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). 1991 September 23 - 15:40 GMT - Launch Vehicle: HEDI. FAILURE: Failure. KITE-2 test Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). 1992 August 26 - 14:31 GMT - Launch Vehicle: HEDI. KITE-2A test Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). Contact us with any corrections, additions, or comments. Conditions for use of drawings, pictures, or other materials from this site.. To contact astronauts or cosmonauts. © Mark Wade, 1997 - 2008 except where otherwise noted.