About this Unit
Redstone Arsenal, located in Huntsville, Alabama, was established in 1941 as a chemical munitions manufacturing and storage facility during World War II. After the war, its mission shifted, becoming a major center for rocket and missile research under the U.S. Army's Ordnance Department. The Arsenal played a pivotal role in the development of the Redstone rocket, which launched America’s first live nuclear ballistic missile and later carried the first U.S. astronaut, Alan Shepard, into space. Today, Redstone Arsenal serves as a key hub for Army materiel management, aviation, and missile defense programs, hosting major commands such as the U.S. Army Materiel Command and the Missile Defense Agency.
Historical Facts
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Birthplace of the U.S. Army Missile Program: Redstone Arsenal was established in 1941 and quickly became the heart of the Army’s rocket and missile development efforts, earning it the nickname “The Rocket City.”
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German Rocket Scientists Relocation: After World War II, Operation Paperclip brought Wernher von Braun and his team of German rocket scientists to Redstone Arsenal, where they contributed significantly to U.S. missile and space programs.
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Redstone Rocket: The Redstone missile, developed at Redstone Arsenal, was the United States’ first large ballistic missile and played a key role in early space launches, including launching America’s first astronaut, Alan Shepard, into space.
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Saturn V Development: The Saturn V rocket, which powered Apollo missions to the moon, was designed and tested at Redstone Arsenal under the direction of the Marshall Space Flight Center, which is located on the base.
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Home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center: The Marshall Space Flight Center, a major NASA installation, was established at Redstone Arsenal in 1960 and remains a center for space propulsion and technology development.
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Missile and Aviation Research Hub: Redstone Arsenal is home to the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM), which manages the Army’s aviation and missile systems.
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Explosives Manufacturing in WWII: During World War II, Redstone Arsenal was originally used for manufacturing chemical munitions, including toxic agents and conventional explosives.
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Chemical Weapons Disposal: The arsenal was once a storage site for chemical weapons, and its Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility played a significant role in the safe destruction of these munitions.
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Economic Impact: Redstone Arsenal is one of the largest employers in Alabama, with tens of thousands of military, civilian, and contractor personnel, profoundly impacting the region’s economy.
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Historic Test Stands: The test stands used for early rocket and missile development at Redstone Arsenal are now historic landmarks, symbolizing America’s entry into the space age and military rocketry.
