Launcher Collection (#3)

A RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile launches from USS Abraham Lincoln
Pacific Ocean, August 13, 2007 - A RIM-7P NATO Sea Sparrow Missile launches from Sea Sparrow Mount Four aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)

The direct-lay method of firing mortars
The Marines employed the direct-lay method of firing mortars, which consists of using the mortars sights and using observers to verify range and determine correct impact location

A U. S. Marine fires a Mark 19-3 40mm grenade launcher during Javelin Thrust 2010
June 18, 2010 - A U.S. Marine fires a Mark 19 40mm grenade launcher while participating in convoy operations during Javelin Thrust 2010 at a range outside Hawthorne, Nevada

A ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle is launched from its catapult
May 20, 2011 - A ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle is launched at Schoonover Airfield, Fort Hunter Liggett, California, in support of Global Medic 2011

Missile on display at Alamogordo Space Museum, New Mexico

A German Army Patriot surface-to-air missile system

MIM-104 Patriot missile launcher, Kadena Air Base, Japan
U.S. Army Patriot Missile operator simulates unlocking the launcher caps during a field training exercise on Kadena Air Base, Japan

U. S. Marines employ an AT-4 light anti-armor weapon during live-fire training
March 18, 2014 - U.S. Marines employ an AT-4 light anti-armor weapon during a live-fire training exercise as part of Realistic Urban Training Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise (RUTMEUEX)

High dynamic range image of a stationary Kiowa OH-58D helicopter

Marines patrol the Australian outback
March 17, 2006 - Marines patrol the rugged Australian outback near Townsville during a four-day training exercise

An RQ-2B Pioneer UAV on an M927 logistics truck
An RQ-2B Pioneer unmanned aerial vehicle on an M927 logistics truck

A set of NanoRacks CubeSats after deployment by the NanoRacks Launcher
February 26, 2014 - A set of NanoRacks CubeSats after deployment by the NanoRacks Launcher attached to the end of the Japanese robotic arm

A tube-launched, optically-tracked, wire-guided missile gunner scans for threats
August 17. 2005 - A tube-launched, optically-tracked, wire-guided missile gunner scans for threats during convoy-operations training in the Central Training Area of Okinawa, Japan

An assaultman handles the Shoulder-Launched Multi-Purpose Assault Weapon
An assaultman effectively fired 24 rockets using the Shoulder-Launched Multi-Purpose Assault Weapon or SMAW during combat operations in Ar Ramadi

Marines stand over a rocket-propelled grenade launcher they dug up while conducting weapons cache sweeps

MIM-23 Hawk anti-aircraft missile launcher of the German Air Force, Gatow, Germany

The 2K12 Kub mobile surface-to-air missile system
The 2K12 Kub (NATO reporting name: SA-6 Gainful) mobile surface-to-air missile system is a Soviet low to medium-level air defence system, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic

French soldiers with small grenade launcher - Verdun, WWI
Trenches of Verdun - French soldiers with small grenade launcher - WWI. Date: circa 1916

The launcher and fuelling equipment - Thor missile
The launcher and fuelling equipment for the first Thor missile for the RAF at Feltwell, Norfolk, on 19 September 1958

Radioplane OQ-3 radio-controlled target runs up its launcher at the Mojave, California, Naval Base

An Atlas ICBM is raised into the firing position by an erector-launcher mechanism at the Convair plant at San Diego, California. June 1959. Date: 1959

Raytheon / Northrop surface-to-air guided missiles
Raytheon/Northrop surface-to-air guided missiles leaving its launcher. June 1957. Date: 1957

Malkara wire-guided anti-tank missile on its launcher. September 1958. Date: 1958

Martin TM-76 Mace on its zero-length launcher. 4 May 1956. Date: 1956

Martin TM-61C Matador on its zero-length launcher

Martin Matador immediately after launch from its zero-length launcher at the Air Force Missile Test Center, Cocoa, Florida

A US MAG-16 helicopter evacuates STARLITE casualties, while a Marine M-48 tank stands guard. The Marine on the left carries a M-79 grenade launcher

Soyuz 15 rocket on launchpad
Soyuz 15. A rocket carrying the Soyuz-15 capsule on its launchpad. Soyuz-15 was launched on 26 August 1974 to take Gennadi Sarafinov and Lev Dyomin to the orbiting Salyut 3 space station

Launch of the Zarya module for ISS
Space Station. Launch of the Zarya module, the first element of the International Space Station, on a Proton rocket on 20 November 1998

Soyuz rocket on launch pad at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

Soyuz capsule escape rocket
Soyuz rocket showing capsule escape rocket on display in Baikonur, Kazakhstan

Soyuz TMA-21 Gagarin on launchpad
Soyuz TMA-1 on launchpad. The Soyuz FG launcher carrying the TMA-21 spacecraft seen on its launchpad. The craft was named Gagarin in honour of the first man to fly in space

Greek fire launcher
Machine for attaching Greek fire to fortress gates

Scout operating winch for gliders
A Senior Scout at the controls of a winch used for launching gliders at the Lasham Gliding Centre. 1960s

Integration of Buran and Energia
The Russian Space Shuttle Buran, being integrated with its Energia launcher. Buran made its only orbital flight on 15 November 1988, an unmanned test mission

Testing of electrics in SL-4 (Soyuz) launcher
Electrical check being made to an SL-4 first stage, the type used to launch Russian Soyuz spacecraft into orbit. The SL-4 is the most-used model of orbital launcher

Rocket production. Historical photograph of the warehouse in which the rocket Jupiter C was constructed. This was part of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA) in Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville

Insulating the end of an Ariane rocket fuel tank
Ariane 5 production. An engineer fitting insulation to the end of the main cryogenic tank of an Ariane 5 launcher. A single tank is used which is split into two compartments

Art of launch of Ariane 5 rocket
Ariane 5. Artists impression of an Ariane 5 rocket high over the Earth after launch. The main body of the rocket is flanked by two large solid rocket boosters

Cut-away view of the Ariane 5 launcher
Ariane 5. Artwork showing a cut-away view of the European Ariane 5 launcher. Ariane 5 consists of a large first stage (lower 2/3rds of the central vehicle) flanked by two solid rocket boosters

Explorer 1 launch. Explorer 1, Americas first successful artificial satellite, being launched by a Jupiter-C rocket from Cape Canaveral (now Kennedy Space Centre), Florida, USA, on 31 January 1958

Artwork of the Ariane 5 launcher with 2 satellites
Ariane 5 rocket. Artwork showing a cut-away view of the European Ariane 5 launcher. Ariane 5 consists of a large first stage (lower 2/3rds of the central vehicle)

Artists impression of the launch of an Ariane 5
Ariane 5. Artists impression of an Ariane 5 rocket high over the Earth during launch. The two booster rockets have just been jettisoned from the main body

Explorer 4 launch. Explorer 4 being launched by a Jupiter-C rocket from Cape Canaveral (now Kennedy Space Centre), Florida, USA, on 26 July 1958

Rocket display at the National Air & Space Museum, Washington DC. White rocket at centre is a Jupiter-C depicted as the Juno-I satellite launcher that launched Americas first satellite

Angara space-launch vehicle
Khrunichev State Space Research and Production Center. Angara launch vehicle with Baikal non-expendable first-stage booster

Launch of Soyuz TMA-15 mission
Soyuz rocket launch. A Soyuz-FG rocket carrying the Soyuz TMA-15 spacecraft into orbit. Mission TMA-15 carried commander cosmonaut Roman Romanenko (Russia) and flight engineers Robert Thirsk (Canada)

Rocket carrying Indias first satellite
Indias first satellite. The nose of the launcher rocket carrying Aryabhata, Indias first satellite. Aryabhata was a 1.4 metre diameter satellite

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A launcher, a powerful tool that propels various objects into the vast expanse of space or towards specific targets on Earth. From military applications to scientific expeditions, these machines have played a crucial role in shaping our understanding of the world and beyond. One such example is the Brimstone air-to-ground missile mounted on a triple launcher. With its precision targeting capabilities, it ensures maximum impact while minimizing collateral damage. In another realm entirely, we witness the Buran space shuttle gracefully descending for landing. The culmination of an awe-inspiring mission, this moment showcases the remarkable engineering behind these spacecraft launchers. Speaking of scientific endeavors, we cannot overlook the XMM-Newton telescope deployment. As it unfurls its intricate mechanisms in space, it opens up new frontiers for astronomers to explore and unravel mysteries hidden within our universe. Meanwhile, back on Earth, we find ourselves captivated by the Martin TM-61C Matador immediately prior to launch. This ground-based launcher stands tall and ready to deliver its payload with utmost precision and force. Zooming out from individual launches, an overall view and cut-away diagram reveal the sheer complexity of systems within an Ariane 5 launcher, and is a testament to human ingenuity as we strive for greater heights in space exploration. Taking a step back in time brings us to World War I when French Mortars were employed as devastating weapons against enemy forces. These launchers unleashed destruction upon their targets with unparalleled firepower. Moving forward again through history's timeline brings us artwork depicting an Ariane 5 rocket deploying payloads into orbit around our planet. A mesmerizing sight that symbolizes humanity's quest for knowledge and progress through technological advancements. The Ariane series of launchers continues to evolve over time; each iteration building upon previous successes while pushing boundaries further than ever before. Artwork showcasing this evolution serves as inspiration for future generations dreaming of reaching new celestial horizons. Rocket engines roar with power, propelling these launchers into action.