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Free Traveling Guides » States » New Mexico » Greater New MexicoWhite Sands Missile Range
White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), situated in the Dona Ana County and the Otero County, New Mexico, is a rocket range operated by the United States Army. This range is the largest military installation in the United States and was formerly known as the White Sands Proving Grounds. It encompasses an area of 3200 square miles (8287 sq. km.), making it nearly three times the size of the Rhode Island. WSMR is located between Alamogordo and Las Cruces and can be reached via U.S. 70. Besides the entire Tularosa basin, the Range also includes the northern reaches of the Jornada Del Muerto.
The Range was established on 9 July, 1945. It has derived its name from the swath of white sands that stretches from WSMR, through White Sands National Monument, and into the Holloman Air Force Base. These bright sands are mainly composed of gypsum crystals. The surrounding area shares a distinct ecology and is home to several species of animals such as mule deer, the Oryx, jackrabbits, and coyote. The world’s first test of an atomic weapon was conducted in WSMR, at a site that is now called the Trinity Site. Besides, the V-2 rockets, which were captured in Germany at the end of World War II, were also brought to WSMR for reverse engineering. The first Private F missile was also test fired in this area in 1945 by the JPL employees.
At present, WSMR and the US Army Air Defense Center, in Fort Bliss, Texas form a swath of territory dedicated to the art. Fort Bliss also has a fabulous outdoor museum display of rocket-propelled missiles. A number of facilities are operated at the North Oscura Peak in WSMR by the Directed Energy Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory. Besides, WSMR is also home to the White Sands Space Harbor, located nearly 45 miles (72.4 km) north of WSMR headquarters. This landing area is used by the NASA Space Shuttle Program. The famous White Sands Test Facility on the Range was also established by NASA in 1963. WSMR is also known for the ‘Simtel’ archive that was hosted here from 1983 to 1993.
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