This abandoned shed may yet help end the world | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

The Tekoi Test Range, once a vital military facility during the Cold War, now lies abandoned but still holds the legacy of nuclear weapon testing in the United States.

Key Insights

• 🖐️ The Tekoi Test Range played a crucial role in the development and testing of solid fuel missile motors during the Cold War.
• 🇺🇸 Hercules Incorporated's involvement in manufacturing solid fuel missile motors contributed to the United States' nuclear weapon capabilities.
• 🇺🇸 The Tekoi Test Range served as a strategic location for inspection under the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, ensuring transparency between the United States and the Soviet Union.
• 💋 The abandoned Tekoi Test Range now resides within the Skull Valley Indian Reservation, marking a shift in ownership and control of the site.

Transcript

This is the Tekoi Test Range. Or, at least it once was. The site is long abandoned now, but it once served a vital purpose. A military purpose. And the work done at Tekoi is still out in the world today. Constructed during the Cold War, at the entrance to the facility is a warning sign in Russian, but this is not the former Soviet Union. This i... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the purpose of the Tekoi Test Range during the Cold War?

The Tekoi Test Range served as a critical testing site for solid fuel missile motors used in nuclear weapons.

Q: How did Hercules Incorporated contribute to the Tekoi Test Range?

Hercules Incorporated manufactured solid fuel missile motors at a plant in Magna, Utah, which were then brought to Tekoi for testing.

Q: What measures were taken to protect the testing equipment and personnel at Tekoi?

The buildings at Tekoi were constructed on rails to be pulled back before firing, providing a safe distance for missile launches. Lightning rods were also installed to prevent explosions caused by strikes during storms.

Q: What was the significance of the Tekoi Test Range during the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty?

Tekoi was chosen as a site for inspection under the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, allowing transparency between the United States and the Soviet Union in reducing their nuclear stockpiles.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Tekoi Test Range, located in Skull Valley, Utah, was an important military facility during the Cold War, involved in nuclear weapon testing.

• Hercules Incorporated, a company known for chemical manufacturing and explosives, played a significant role in the development of solid fuel missile motors.

• Tekoi served as a testing site for solid fuel missile motors, ensuring their precision and reliability in launching nuclear warheads.