These images are from the WSMR web page
(US Army Photo courtesy of WSMR)
The Sprint missile, an ICBM interceptor missile, was originally designed for a system called Nike X,
which later transitioned to Sentinel, then to Safeguard Missile Defense system. It was a companion
interceptor to the Spartan missile. The Spartan was for intercept outside the atmosphere and the
Sprint was to intercept any that got past Spartan and entered the atmosphere.
(US Army Photo courtesy of WSMR)
Sprint Missile on the transporter/loader ready to erect and lower into the launch cell at White Sands
Missile Range, New Mexico.
(US Army Photo courtesy of WSMR)
Sprint Missile inside the launch cell at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico ready for launch.
(US Army Photo courtesy of WSMR)
Start of Launch photo sequence of Sprint Missile launch cell at White Sands Missile Range, New
Mexico. Note nose tip at arrow.
(US Army Photo courtesy of WSMR)
Launch photo sequence of Sprint Missile launch at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
(US Army Photo courtesy of WSMR)
Hot gas and smoke start escaping from the cell from the explosive charge that was used to eject the
Sprint Missile from the launch cell at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
(US Army Photo courtesy of WSMR)
Hot gas and smoke from the explosive charge that was used to eject the Sprint Missile from the launch
cell, totally obscures the Missile during launch at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
(US Army Photo courtesy of WSMR)
Hot gas and smoke from the explosive charge that was used to eject the Sprint Missile from the launch
cell during launch at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The wider, lighter colored gas plume at
the bottom is the ignition of the Sprint first stage rocket motor.
(US Army Photo courtesy of WSMR)
The upper cloud of hot gas and smoke is from the explosive charge that was used to eject the Sprint
Missile from the launch cell. The wider, lighter colored gas plume at the bottom is the Sprint first
stage rocket motor. Between the clouds, you can see the tail of the missile with the white exhaust
gas from it. The darker streak of smoke from the left of the rocket motor is the result of the Thrust
Vector Control starting the missile turn to the right.
(US Army Photo courtesy of WSMR)
The Sprint Missile is once again obscured by the hot gas from the ejection explosive charge and its
own first stage rocket motor. It will soon fly through the cloud and be visible making its turn.
(US Army Photo courtesy of WSMR)
The Sprint Missile has now cleared the hot gas plumes and is visible at the top of the photo, making
its turn to the right.
(US Army Photo courtesy of WSMR)
The Sprint Missile fly-out after launch at White Sands Missile Range New Mexico. The dark color
smoke near the center of the smoke trail is what is called "staging," which is the separation of the
first and second stage and ignition of the second stage rocket motor. The dark smoke is from an
"explosive cutting charge " which separates the stages.
Updated: 4-21-2008
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