Titan Missile Museum facts for kids
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Air Force Facility Missile Site 8 (571-7) Military Reservation
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An ICBM loaded into the silo of the Titan Missile Museum, with a hole cut into the side of the nose cone to show that the weapon is inert.
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 Location in Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1580 West Duval Mine Road Sahuarita, Arizona |
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| Built | 1963 |
| Architect | Ralph M Parson Co. |
| NRHP reference No. | 92001234 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 3, 1992 |
| Designated NHL | April 19, 1994 |
The Titan Missile Museum, also known as Air Force Facility Missile Site 8, is a special place located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Tucson, Arizona. It used to be a secret site for an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) called the Titan II. These powerful missiles could travel very long distances.
This site was built in 1963 and stopped being used in 1984. Today, it is a museum run by a group called the Arizona Aerospace Foundation. Visitors can see a real, but harmless, Titan II missile inside its underground home, called a silo. All the original control rooms and equipment are still there too.
The museum is very important because it is the only Titan II missile site from the Cold War that still exists. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1994. This means it is a special place in American history. It is also the only place in the United States where you can see a fully preserved ICBM.
Contents
Exploring the Underground Base
The Titan Missile Museum has many parts hidden deep underground. These include the Launch Control Center, which has three levels. This is where the missile crews would have worked. There is also an eight-level silo that holds the giant missile and its equipment.
Connecting these areas are tunnels called cableways. There are also strong blast locks and an access portal with an elevator. The entire complex was built with very thick, steel-reinforced concrete walls, some as thick as 2.4 meters (8 feet). Heavy 3-ton blast doors sealed off different areas for safety.
What You Can See Below Ground
When you visit, you can see the top of the silo where the missile doors are. On Level 3, you can see a large diesel generator. Level 7 lets you look down into the lowest part of the launch area. If you take a special tour, you can even stand right under the missile! Level 8 is 43 meters (140 feet) underground and holds the pumps for the missile's fuel.
The Titan II Missile Up Close
The Titan II missile you see at the museum is 31 meters (103 feet) tall. It does not have a warhead or fuel, so it is completely safe for visitors to see. Because of an agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union, the silo doors are permanently blocked. They cannot open more than halfway.
The top part of the missile, called the dummy reentry vehicle, has a large hole cut into it. This shows everyone that it is harmless. All the other equipment at the site is still there, just as it was when it was active.
Why This Site is Special
This missile silo started working in 1963. It was shut down in 1984. This happened because President Ronald Reagan decided to remove all Titan II missiles. Most other Titan II silos across the country were destroyed. This included 18 sites near Wichita, Kansas, and 17 sites near Little Rock, Arkansas. Another 17 sites were near Tucson, Arizona, just like this one. But this particular site was saved and became a National Historic Landmark.
The Missile's Purpose
The Titan II was the biggest land-based nuclear missile ever used by the United States. It carried a powerful warhead. When it was active, the missile crew would receive secret orders. These orders would tell them which of three pre-set targets to aim for. The crew did not know what these targets were.
The missile base that is now the museum was set to hit "Target Two" when it closed. This target is still a secret today. It was likely a strong military base in the former Soviet Union. The missile could be set to explode in the air or on the ground, depending on the target.
Visiting the Museum
The Titan Missile Museum is located at 1580 West Duval Mine Road in Sahuarita, Arizona. You can find it off Interstate 19.
The museum has a visitor center with a gift shop and a small exhibit area. The museum helps visitors understand the Titan II missile's role during the Cold War. You can take guided tours to learn about the history of the site and the Titan II program. You can also see parts of the missile's engines and a special vehicle that carried the warhead.
What to Expect on a Tour
Tours take you underground to see the control room, the tunnels, and the missile silo. You can also see an antenna tower. You can find more information and book tours on the museum's website. Sometimes, a longer "top to bottom" tour is offered. This tour can last up to 5 hours and is for a small group of people. You need to book this tour in advance.
The museum has also been used in movies! Some scenes from the 1996 film Star Trek: First Contact were filmed here. The missile itself was shown as the rocket that launched the Phoenix spacecraft, which was the first ship with a warp engine in the movie.
Images for kids
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Warhead stage at top of missile in silo
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Side of missile in silo
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Launch control center equipment
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Long cableway
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Short cableway
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Missile first stage engine on grounds of the museum
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View of Titan Missile II re-entry vehicle (which housed the 9 megaton warhead)
See also
- Missile launch facility
- Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
- Strategic missile forces museum in Ukraine – Similar museum in the former Soviet Union
