redstone aarsenal huntsville ala.

• 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.” • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • Explosives Manufacturing in WWII: During World War II, Redstone Arsenal was originally used for manufacturing chemical munitions, including toxic agents and conventional explosives. • 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. • 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. • 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.