Overview

Location: Johnston Atoll, North Pacific Ocean

Also Known As: JI

Historical

Johnston Island (JI) is an island of Johnston Atoll in the North Pacific Ocean that was used in the 1950s and 1960s for rocket launches in support of above-ground and below-ground nuclear tests. Between 1958 and 1975, many scientific sounding rockets were also launched from Johnston Island.

Systems

  • Thor
  • Redstone
  • DASA Strypi Antares
  • Nike Apache
  • USAF Javelin
  • USAF Nike Cajun
  • Sandia Terrier Sandhawk
  • Sandia Terrier Tomahawk
  • Sandia Nike Tomahawk
  • AEC Castor-Recruit
  • Livermore Ascamp
  • Sandia Doorknob
  • USAF Honest John Nike
  • USAF Nike Hercules

Other Programs

  • Air Force Program 437
  • Fishbowl
  • Hardtack Orange

Cost: Not available

Launch Complex Highlights

Johnston Island Summary

  • 1 August 1958 – First launch
  • 6 November 1975 – Last launch
  • Total launches – 145
  • 2003 – All facilities, launch pads and the runway were closed down

Launch Complex 1 (LC-1)

  • Army Redstone complex
  • 1 August 1958 – Army Redstone (CC-50) launched. Hardtack Team nuclear test, 3.8 MT for Nike-Zeus ASAT program. Failure during flight of the tilt program, but payload detonated as planned.
  • 12 August 1958 – Army Redstone (CC-51) launched. Hardtack Orange nuclear test, 3.8 MT for Nike-Zeus ASAT program. Guidance malfunction at 70 seconds at 25 miles up, 3.8 MT programmed to explode at 43 miles.
  • Total DASA Strypi Antares launched – 5
  • Total Nike Apache launched – 10
  • Total USAF Javelin launched – 3
  • Total USAF Nike Cajun launched – 1
  • 10 July 1962 – Last launch
  • Total launches from LC-1 – 20

Launch Emplacements 1 & 2 (LE-1 & LE-2)

  • Consisted of two Thor launch emplacements for modified SM-75 Thor IRBM missiles that were refurbished for space launch after being returned from deployment in the United Kingdom (UK).
  • Johnston Island was the operational site for Air Force Program 437 Fishbowl tests. USAF DSV-2E Thor were used for the nuclear Fishbowl tests.
  • Part of Program 437 was 437 Alternate Payload (AP) for satellite inspection. USAF DSV-2J were used for the 437 Alternate Payload (AP) program.
  • 2 May 1962 – First launch, USAF DSV-2E Thor
  • 1 November 1962 – Last launch, USAF DSV-2E Thor
  • Total launches from LE-1 – 6 USAF DSV-2E Thor
  • Total launches from LE-2 – 2 USAF DSV-2E Thor
  • 14 February 1964 – First launch, USAF DSV-2J Thor
  • 6 November 1975 – Last launch, USAF DSV-2J Thor
  • Total launches from LE-1 – 7 USAF DSV-2J Thor
  • Total launches from LE-2 – 11 USAF DSV-2J Thor

HAD Launcher 23

  • 29 September 1967 – There was only launch from this pad, Sandia Nike Tomahawk

Universal Launcher 6 (UL)

  • 29 October 1968 – Sandia Terrier Sandhawk launched
  • 7 November 1968 – Sandia Terrier Sandhawk launched
  • Total Launches – 2 Sandia Terrier Sandhawk

Johnston South (JIS)

  • Small sounding rocket pad
  • 1 August 1958 – First launch, Livermore Ascamp
  • 12 August 1958 – Last launch, Livermore Ascamp
  • Total launches – 27 Livermore Ascamp
  • 1 August 1958 – First launch, Sandia Doorknob
  • 11 August 1958 – Last launch, Sandia Doorknob
  • Total launches – 16 Sandia Doorknob
  • 1 June 1962 – First launch, USAF Nike Cajun
  • 4 November 1962 – USAF Nike Cajun
  • Total launches – 21 Nike Cajun
  • 9 July 1962 – First launch, USAF Javelin
  • 27 November 1962 – Last launch, USAF Javelin
  • Total launches – 5 USAF Javelin
  • 9 July 1962 – First launch, USAF Honest John
  • 1 November 1962 – Last launch, USAF Honest John
  • Total launches – 10 USAF Honest John
  • 9 July 1962 – First launch, DASA Strypi Antares
  • 20 October 1962 – Last launch, DASA Strypi Antares
  • Total launches – 2 DASA Strypi Antares
  • 1 August 1962 – First Launch, USAF Nike Hercules
  • 4 November 1962 – Last launch, USAF Nike Hercules
  • Total launches – 4 USAF Nike Hercules
  • 20 October 1962 – Sole AEC Castor-Recruit launch
  • 19 September 1966 – First launch, Sandia Nike Tomahawk
  • 2 October 1967 – Last launch, Sandia Nike Tomahawk
  • Total launches – 5 Sandia Nike Tomahawk
  • 1 October 1968 – Sole Sandia Terrier Tomahawk launch
  • 21 September 1962 – First launch, Sandia Terrier Sandhawk
  • 7 November 1968 – Last launch, Sandia Terrier Sandhawk
  • Total launches – 3 Sandia Sandhawk
Other Missile Test Sites