Home News Inside the eerie abandoned rocket development facility in Florida that competed to design NASA spacecraft that took man to the moon (19 Pics)

Inside the eerie abandoned rocket development facility in Florida that competed to design NASA spacecraft that took man to the moon (19 Pics)

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Incredible photographs show an abandoned rocket development facility in southern Florida that once competed to take man to the moon.   
A test silo with NASA emblazoned on the side stands out amid the deserted interior at the Aerojet Dade Rocket Development Facility. 
Other striking shots show a chain link fence topped with barbed wire warning of no admittance, graffiti on the walls and exposed metal work and pipes.  
A test silo with NASA emblazoned on the side stands out amid the crumbling interior with the ceiling falling down and paint peeling off the walls at the Aerojet Dade Rocket Development Facility in Homestead, Florida
A test silo with NASA emblazoned on the side stands out amid the crumbling interior with the ceiling falling down and paint peeling off the walls at the Aerojet Dade Rocket Development Facility in Homestead, Florida
Eerie images show an abandoned rocket development facility that once competed to design the spacecraft that would take NASA to the moon. Pictured: Exposed metal work and pipes in the south Florida facility
Eerie images show an abandoned rocket development facility that once competed to design the spacecraft that would take NASA to the moon. Pictured: Exposed metal work and pipes in the south Florida facility
Other striking shots show a chain link fence topped with barbed wire warning of no admittance
Other striking shots show a chain link fence topped with barbed wire warning of no admittance
Fallen drawers and rusting wood sit among the peeling walls and crumbling ceilings at the eerie facility
Fallen drawers and rusting wood sit among the peeling walls and crumbling ceilings at the eerie facility 
'NASA and the United States were looking to get to the Moon before the Russians did,' the photographer who took the photos said.
The artist, known as Bullet, added: 'This facility was built in the 60s by Aerojet to design and construct a rocket which would do just that.
'But of course, there were many other companies doing the same thing so Aerojet was opening to win a contract by NASA to build the rockets for them by first showing them a working model.
'Many people can't believe that there is a place so close to Miami that manufactured rockets and also, that still has one of the test motors still there in the silo.'
'NASA and the United States were looking to get to the Moon before the Russians did,' the photographer who took the photos said
'NASA and the United States were looking to get to the Moon before the Russians did,' the photographer who took the photos said
The artist, known as Bullet, added: 'This facility was built in the 60s by Aerojet to design and construct a rocket which would do just that. But of course, there were many other companies doing the same thing so Aerojet was opening to win a contract by NASA to build the rockets for them by first showing them a working model. Pictured: the center from the outside
The artist, known as Bullet, added: 'This facility was built in the 60s by Aerojet to design and construct a rocket which would do just that. But of course, there were many other companies doing the same thing so Aerojet was opening to win a contract by NASA to build the rockets for them by first showing them a working model. Pictured: the center from the outside
Graffiti dons the walls of the empty facility, where parts of the ceiling appeared ripped out and shelves have fallen over
Graffiti dons the walls of the empty facility, where parts of the ceiling appeared ripped out and shelves have fallen over 
The pictures of the facility, which would have once been filled with the world's brightest minds, now appear eerie and isolated
The pictures of the facility, which would have once been filled with the world's brightest minds, now appear eerie and isolated
Aerojet solid fuel technology was considered for use in the first stages of the Apollo mission.
In 1963, the U.S. Air Force provided Aerojet General with $3 million in funding to start construction of a manufacturing and testing site several miles southwest of Homestead, Florida.
A monolithic, 21-foot-diameter rocket motor was designed, which was too big to be transported by rail.  A plan was devised where the rocket motors would be transported by barge to Cape Canaveral, home of the Air Force Center that sees many launches. 
To facilitate barges, a canal was dug and a drawbridge installed for the U.S. Highway 1 crossing at mile marker 116.
'Many people can't believe that there is a place so close to Miami that manufactured rockets and also, that still has one of the test motors still there in the silo' photographer Bullet said
'Many people can't believe that there is a place so close to Miami that manufactured rockets and also, that still has one of the test motors still there in the silo' photographer Bullet said
In 1963, the U.S. Air Force provided Aerojet General with $3 million in funding to start construction of a manufacturing and testing site several miles southwest of Homestead, Florida. Pictured: the dust ridden floor and collapsing walls of the grounds
In 1963, the U.S. Air Force provided Aerojet General with $3 million in funding to start construction of a manufacturing and testing site several miles southwest of Homestead, Florida. Pictured: the dust ridden floor and collapsing walls of the grounds
By 1969, NASA had decided to go with liquid-fueled engines for the Saturn V rockets, causing the workers of the Everglades plant to be laid off and the abandonment of the facility
By 1969, NASA had decided to go with liquid-fueled engines for the Saturn V rockets, causing the workers of the Everglades plant to be laid off and the abandonment of the facility
The company sold most of its land holdings to the South Dade Land Corporation for $6 million. After unsuccessfully trying to farm it, the corporation sold it to Florida for $12 million
The company sold most of its land holdings to the South Dade Land Corporation for $6 million. After unsuccessfully trying to farm it, the corporation sold it to Florida for $12 million
This canal became the southernmost freshwater canal in Southeast Florida and was dubbed the 'Aerojet Canal'.
A concrete silo was constructed for the rocket motor, 180 feet deep into the Everglades.
By 1969, NASA had decided to go with liquid-fueled engines for the Saturn V rockets, causing the workers of the Everglades plant to be laid off and the abandonment of the facility.
In 1986, after NASA had awarded the Space Shuttle booster contract to Morton Thiokol of Utah, Aerojet sued the State of Florida, exercised its options and pulled out of south Florida for good.
The company sold most of its land holdings to the South Dade Land Corporation for $6 million. After unsuccessfully trying to farm it, the corporation sold it to Florida for $12 million.
The stunning photographs were taken at the Aerojet Dade Rocket Development Facility by a photographer known as Bullet and show spooky surroundings
The stunning photographs were taken at the Aerojet Dade Rocket Development Facility by a photographer known as Bullet and show spooky surroundings 
Exposed metal is a common theme among facility that once competed to design the spacecraft that would take NASA to the moon
Exposed metal is a common theme among facility that once competed to design the spacecraft that would take NASA to the moon
Collapsed ceilings and ripped grounds are seen in the abandoned grounds which features rubble
Collapsed ceilings and ripped grounds are seen in the abandoned grounds which features rubble 
'Parts of the canal have been filled in and rerouted, some buildings have been demolished, and the test silo has been covered up by concrete beams. The rocket motor is still out there, it just can't be seen any longer' Bullet addded
'Parts of the canal have been filled in and rerouted, some buildings have been demolished, and the test silo has been covered up by concrete beams. The rocket motor is still out there, it just can't be seen any longer' Bullet addded
'The canal did considerable damage to the Everglades and the state continues to work on reversing the damage caused by it,' added Bullet.
'Parts of the canal have been filled in and rerouted, some buildings have been demolished, and the test silo has been covered up by concrete beams. The rocket motor is still out there, it just can't be seen any longer.
'To get out to the facility, it's a three-mile walk or bike ride. 
'Park rangers and sheriffs patrolled the road every few hours so if caught out there, there's no talking your way out of it. 
'Along with the three miles was the threat of heat exhaustion in the blazing Florida sun and wildlife such as alligators.'
It's a three-mile bike ride to leave the facility. 'Park rangers and sheriffs patrolled the road every few hours so if caught out there, there's no talking your way out of it' the photographer continued
It's a three-mile bike ride to leave the facility. 'Park rangers and sheriffs patrolled the road every few hours so if caught out there, there's no talking your way out of it' the photographer continued
The outside of the facility shows it as a metal cage - many who pass by having no idea what's inside
The outside of the facility shows it as a metal cage - many who pass by having no idea what's inside
Vandals have taken to the building to show off their graffiti skills
Vandals have taken to the building to show off their graffiti skills

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