History

A Little history: When it was initially formed, the MS&RP membership was drawn primarily from the then-dominant Apollo program. In addition, the organization sought and embraced all those Pioneers who had been or were then "engaged in missile, space or range activities that culminate in a test or launch program at DoD or NASA facilities in Florida and in their off-shore and down-range stations." - These three functions: Missiles, Ranges and Space activities can be considered as each distinct, yet mutually supportive, facets of aerospace propulsion, tracking, new-frontier exploration and their attendant scientific advancements.

The Missile, Range and Space Pioneers, Inc. were incorporated on 2 November 1966 to provide an opportunity for the people who were involved in those early missile, range, and space activities at Cape Canaveral (Cape Kennedy) to socialize and renew old acquaintances. The faces may change but the social nature of the Pioneers remains the same.

Basically, the Pioneers' new criterion is: If you have an interest in space, you're welcome! The new application phrasing is still a bit formal, but that's the legacy.

"BY ENCOURAGING present-day space activists to join the Pioneers of days past, the organization seeks to encourage the passing of the vision from one generation of space voyagers to the next," Jerry Johnson, current Vice-president had earlier stated.

"We need to give the people in the community who are strong supporters of space programs the opportunity to participate in space-related activities."

The Pioneers have two general membership get-togethers a year: a Spring reunion (location TBD) and a Fall social reunion, an informal eat-drink-and-yak session (location TBD). (Locations are currently TBD because of the Officer's Club fire.)

 

NEXT ROCKET REUNION – SPRING GATHERING WILL HONOR MEMBERS OF THE MOL PROGRAM

The Spring Gathering of the Pioneers will honor the men and women of that worked on the MOL Program.  Plan to join us. 

The Spring Gathering is set for Friday 21 May 2010 and will be held at the Hilton in Cocoa Beach, Florida.  The program will honor the Pioneers who worked on the MOL (Manned Orbital Laboratory) including the MOL test launch on 3 November 1966 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on a Titan III.  Tentative speakers will include Hank Fisher, Frank Watkins and former MOL Astronauts Bob Crippen and Al Crews. 

Some historic pictures and models have been located from MOL Program, but we could always use more.  If you have any information on this program, please let contact us.  It is important that we make everyone that worked on this program aware of this event.  So, if you know of anyone who worked on this program, please forwarded them an invitation to attend.

This Rocket Reunion Spring Gathering will include a sit down dinner and cash bar.  Seating is limited and tickets are available online below.

Purchase your tickets for the Rocket Reunion Spring Gathering

Tickets for the Spring Rocket Reunion are $35.00 per person