COMMUNITY

Space Museum Offers Free Warehouse 1402 Behind the Scenes Tour

Daily News Report
The Daisy Track Facility, Holloman Air Force Base late 1950's - 1960s. The building at the New Mexico Museum of Space History was built to replicate this one.

ALAMOGORDO – Just down the hill from the New Mexico Museum of Space History, set back from the road behind Astronaut Memorial Garden, is a wide metal building.

It looks like a warehouse but it is so much more. Inside are several of the original sleds and part of the original track from the Daisy Track facility that was used at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. Join NMMSH Curator Sue Taylor and Assistant Curator Jim Mayberry on Sept. 30 at 9 a.m. for a fascinating talk about “The Daisy Track: Be Careful, You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out.”

Many people who visit the New Mexico Museum of Space History overlook this inconspicuous building, little realizing the history that is contained inside it. The Daisy Track was an important part of the tests done for the American Manned Space Program from 1955 to 1965. Also in the building are original parts of the Delta Clipper Experimental prototype launch vehicle that was tested at White Sands Missile Range in the 1990s. Photos and objects related to the Daisy Track and Delta Clipper that are not on display will be shared during the talk.

Capt. Eli Beeding (USAF) endures a record 82.6-Gs while riding the Daisy Track, May 16, 1956. In upper right corner, inscription in Capt. Beeding's hand is to Ed Dittmer, Astrochimps HAM and Enos's handler, who also worked on the Daisy Track.

The Warehouse 1402 Behind the Scenes tour is Sept. 30 at the Daisy Track Exhibit building on the grounds of the museum at 9 a.m. Free coffee and donuts are compliments of the International Space Hall of Fame Foundation.

The New Mexico Museum of Space History, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is a division of the N.M. Department of Cultural Affairs. For more information, call 575-437-2840 or toll free 877-333-6589 or go online to the NMMSH website at nmspacemuseum.org.