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Redstone was the first large liquid rocket developed in the US using German V-2 technology. Originally designated Hermes C1. Redstones later launched the first US satellite and the first American astronaut into space.
Launches: 11. Failures: 2. Success Rate: 81.82% pct. First Launch Date: 21 November 1960. Last Launch Date: 29 November 1967. Liftoff Thrust: 37,470 kgf. Total Mass: 28,440 kg. Core Diameter: 1.8 m. Total Length: 21.0 m. Development Cost $: 92.50 million. in 1956 average dollars. Launch Price $: 4.93 million. in 1985 price dollars. Total Development Built: 35. Total Production Built: 85. Flyaway Unit Cost $: 1.99 million. in 1959 unit dollars.
Gen. H. H. Arnold, Chief of Air Staff, directed and authorized emphasis on research, development, and procurement of guided missiles, as indicated by known German advances.
Ordnance Department entered into a research and development contract with the General Electric Company for study and development of long-range missiles that could be used against ground targets and high-altitude aircraft. This was the beginning of the Hermes project.
General Electric began a feasibility study of the Hermes C1 which later formed the basis for early Redstone missile research.
Telemetry operated successfully in a V-2 firing at WSPG, Army Ordnance's Hermes telemetry system.
Committee on Guided Missiles of the Research and Development Board approved recommendation that Army Hermes project "be given the task of providing the National Military Establishment with a continuing analysis of the long-range rocket problem as an expansion of their task on an earth satellite vehicle."
Redstone Arsenal was reactivated from standby status as the site of the Ordnance Rocket Center.
The Secretary of the Army approved the transfer of the Ordnance Research and Development Division, Sub-Office (Rocket) at Fort Bliss, Texas, to Redstone Arsenal. Among those transferred were Dr. Wernher von Braun and his team of German scientists and t
Office, Chief of Ordnance directed that the Ordnance Guided Missile Center conduct a preliminary study of the technical requirements and possibilities of developing a 500-mile tactical missile that would be used principally in providing support for the operations of the Army Field Forces.
Ordnance Department directed that the Hermes contract with General Electric Company be amended to transfer responsibility for the Hermes C1 project to the Ordnance Guided Missile Center.
The Office, Chief of Ordnance formally transferred the responsibility for conducting the research and development phase of the HERMES Cl project to Redstone Arsenal
Responsibility for Hermes II transferred to Army Ordnance Guided Missile Center at Redstone Arsenal; Hermes II redesignated the RVA-A-3 test vehicle.
The Office, Chief of Ordnance (OCO) disapproved Redstone Arsenal's proposed development plan for what would become the Redstone missile. The arsenal had intended to implement the manufacturing program for these missiles by creating an assembly line in its own development shops. The OCO, however, required that the development effort be done by a prime contractor. Nonetheless, delays in the acquisition of production facilities for the prime contractor caused Redstone Arsenal to fabricate and assemble the first 12 Redstone missiles along with missiles 18 through 29.
 | Redstone Credit: NASA. 28,535 bytes. 399 x 471 pixels. |
The Redstone missile system officially received its popular name. Previously, this missile was known at various times and places as the Hermes C1, Major, Ursa, XSSM-G-14, and XSSM-A-14.
Chrysler Corporation issued a letter order contract to proceed with active work as the prime contractor on the Redstone missile system. This contract was definitized on 19 Jun 53.
Redstone missile No. 1 was fired by Army Redstone Arsenal personnel at AFMTC, Cape Canaveral. Missile test failure. Missed aimpoint by 240,000 m.
Army Ordnance terminated the Hermes project, during which development of high-performance liquid-fuel rocket and first stabilized platform inertial guidance equipment had been accomplished.
 | Mercury Redstone Credit: © Mark Wade. 1,101 bytes. 66 x 354 pixels. |
Project Orbiter Conference was held at Redstone Arsenal and at Cape Canaveral.
Chrysler Corporation received the first industrial contract for the Redstone.
The first Redstone missile battalion, the 217th Field Artillery Missile Battalion, was formally activated at Redstone Arsenal.
Army informed the OSD that a Jupiter missile could be fired in an effort to orbit a small satellite in January 1957.
The 40th Field Artillery Missile Group, the first heavy missile group organized in the U.S. Army, was transferred from Fort Carson, Colorado, to Redstone Arsenal.
President Eisenhower in major address on science and security announced that scientists had solved the problem of ballistic missile reentry and showed the nose cone of an Army Jupiter-C missile which was intact after a flight through space. He announced the creation of the office of Special Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and the appointment of James R. Killian, president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to the new post.
President Eisenhower gave his approval to the plans for outer space exploration announced by Secretary of Defense Neil H. McElroy. The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) was to undertake several space projects including the launching of certain earth satellites and five space probes as a part of this country's contribution to the IGY program. The Air Force Ballistic Missile Division was authorized by ARPA to carry out three lunar probes with a Thor-Vanguard system, and lunar probes utilizing the Jupiter-C rocket were assigned to the Army Ballistic Missile Agency.
 | Redstone engine Credit: © Mark Wade. 10,228 bytes. 386 x 305 pixels. |
The Redstone became the first large U.S. ballistic missile to be deployed overseas, joining the NATO Shield Force.
Teak was a rocket-launched test of a live W-39 nuclear warhead. Purpose was to measure the effects of high altitude nuclear explosions in order to design warheads for the Nike-Zeus anti-ballistic missile system. The Hardtack Configuration Redstone shot the 3.8 megaton warhead to an altitude of 77.8 km. This was the first rocket-launched nuclear test by the United States.
Orange was a rocket-launched test of the W-39 warhead. Purpose was to measure the effects of high altitude nuclear explosions in order to design warheads for Nike-Zeus anti-ballistic missile system. The Hardtack Configuration Redstone shot the 3.8 megaton warhead to an altitude of 43 km.
The Redstone underwent static firing at White Sands Missile Range, the first time such a test had been conducted there.
 | Redstone - Redstone Day We Launched the Tower Credit: NASA. 20,733 bytes. 355 x 468 pixels. |
Successful missile test. Army Redstone ejected miniature TV camera which transmitted pictures of its target impact area. Missed aimpoint by 144 m.
Successful missile test. Missed aimpoint by 277 m.
 | Sparta Credit: © Mark Wade. 930 bytes. 63 x 306 pixels. |
Successful missile test. Missed aimpoint by 167 m.
Missile test failure. Missed aimpoint by 3,191 m.
In a ceremony on the parade field at Redstone Arsenal, the Redstone missile was ceremonially retired.
The initial Redstone production contract awarded to Chrysler in October 1952 was closed out.
Weapons Research Establishment Satellite; solar radiation, upper atmosphere data. WRESAT 1 launched for upper atmosphere and space research at 1419 h central standard time, from Woomera, South Australia. Launch vehicle based on Redstone.