WIKIARCHIVES.SPACE

Workers set up some of the 50 model rockets that are to be launched in honor of the 50th anniversary of the first successful rocket launch, called Bumper 8, from pad 3 on what is now Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The original launch occurred July 24, 1950. The anniversary ceremony included launch of a Bumper 8 model rocket, presentation of a Bumper Award to Florida Sen. George Kirkpatrick by the National Space Club; plus remarks by Sen. Kirkpatrick, KSC's Center Director Bridges, and Brig. Gen. Donald Pettit, who is commander of the 45th Space Wing. A reception followed at Hangar C. Since 1950 there have been a total of 3,245 launches from Cape Canaveral.