Atlas missile 27E launches at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. View of Atlas 27E ready to launch. Large explosion on the ground soon after its launch. Fire and black smoke rises from the explosion. (Note: This was the ninth E-series Atlas launched and the first from the West Coast. The missile suffered combustion instability in one booster engine, the resultant asymmetrical thrust causing it to tip over and explode on impact with the silo wall. OSTF-1 suffered extensive damage and did not host another launch for nine months.)
Atlas missile 27E launches at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. View of a launch pad and Atlas 27E ready to launch.
Atlas missile 51D's launch, test number 775 at Cape Canaveral, Florida. View of base of Atlas 51D as it is ready to launch. Large explosion takes place with fire blazing, soon after its launch.
Atlas missile 51D's launch, test number 775 at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Atlas 51D ready to launch. Large explosion soon after its launch.
Atlas missile 51D's launch, test number 775 at Cape Canaveral, Florida. View of Atlas 51D take off from launch pad. Large explosion soon after few seconds of its launch. (Note: This missile suffered combustion instability in one engine. The Range Safety officer sent the destruct command only a few seconds after launch and it fell back through the launch stand and exploded. LC-13 took extensive damage and was out of use for six months.)
Atlas missile 51D's launch, test number 775 at Cape Canaveral, Florida. View of base of Atlas 51D at launch pad. Missile takes off with large explosion soon after its launch.
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