The Sonic Wind 1 rocket sled, which was powered by nine solid fuel rockets with 40,000 pounds total thrust for five seconds. Air Force Lt. Col. John Stapp first rode the sled on March 19, 1954, at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, and reached a speed of 613 feet per second. During acceleration, he was subjected to a force of 22 times that of gravity. Highlighted in this image is the seat of the Sonic Wind I Rocket Sled.

Created:

May 29, 2019

Photographer:

Mark Avino

ID#:

NASM2019-03322

Source:

Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Owner:

Smithsonian Institution

Rights Usage:

CC0 (Open Access)

Terms of Use:

Smithsonian Terms of Use

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