50-Year-Old Minuteman Motor Passes Test

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

A half century later, an Air Force Minuteman II motor functioned like new. In October, Air Force crews conducted a static fire live test of a 50-year-old Minuteman II motor. The test set a new record for oldest motor successfully tested, besting the previous record by about four years, according to an Air Force news release. While the motor is no longer operational, it can be used for space launches and as targets for Missile Defense Agency tests. The successful test proved the old motors are ready to fly for another year.

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org