Missile Industry-Green River Test Complex P.8

Athena Activity - Three ATHENA vehicles are poised and ready for firing from Green River, Utah, 470 miles overland, to White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Initiated under the direction of the United States Air Force Ballistic Systems Division, The ATHENA program successfully demonstrated the feasibility of a low cost system to simulate flight dynamics of full scale intercontinental missiles. Of the total number of launches to date (February 11, 1966) good vehicle performance was obtained on 31 of the 37 launches. Under an accelerated program since June 1965 more than 23 flights were recorded. In each case the solid propellant four stage vehicle returned more radar and optical data than were ever obtained on any prior advanced systems test systems. Atlantic Research is prime contractor.