#jupiter-c

September 20th, 1956 - The first of the Jupiter-C series rockets is launched from Cape Canaveral, FL carrying a dummy satellite payload.

Designed by Wernher von Braun, the three-stage Jupiter-C series would pave the way towards the launch of Juno-I, which can be considered a derivative of the Jupiter-C series. Juno-I would launch the United States’ first satellite into orbit, Explorer I, in 1958, and ultimately influence the rest of the United States rocketry designs going forward.

The Jupiter-C series had a unique feature in their encrypted serial numbers painted on the side of the fuselage. During the tense early days of the Cold War, it was thought that the serial numbers could potentially reveal launch sequences, updated designs, or other information classified as military secrets. The code sequence would use the location name HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA to give the rockets their serial numbers, making it easy for staff to decipher. The H would be 1, the U would be 2, and so on (dropping repeated letters). The rocket pictured with a serial of UE would be rocket 29.