From The Archives: Atlas ICBM On Firing Pad

The last preparations for firing the Convair Atlas ICBM are in progress, as the servicing gantry is rolled away from the launching stand at Cape Canaveral, Florida. 

We reported that the image showed the missile is being held upright by a Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton weighing and thrust measuring unit. Before firing, this equipment keeps an accurate record of the empty weight of the missile and the amount of propellant pumped into the tanks. 

During the launch, it holds the Atlas and measures the total thrust until the engines reach maximum power. Then, it releases the missile. This allows the launching crew to observe the complete thrust build-up and stop the engines if there is a malfunction. 

See the cover of the issue dated Feb 24, 1958. 

Note also the new name of our magazine, adding "and Space Technology" to Aviation Week.

On page 21, read a message from the publisher, Robert W. Martin Jr.  He wrote: "This year the aviation industry will face the most challenging problems of its modern history. These problems include a technical revolution of tremendous magnitude as man begins in earnest his exploration of outer space, plus political and economic issues. Read the rest of his message on page 21.  

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