Holloman Air Force Base in the 1950s was a hub of pioneering research and development, particularly focused on missile technology and high-altitude testing. The base, located in the New Mexico desert, provided an ideal environment for these endeavors due to its clear skies, vast open spaces, and low population density. A significant portion of the work centered around the development of guided missiles and studying the effects of spaceflight on humans and equipment. Notably, the base was home to the Aeromedical Field Laboratory, where scientists conducted experiments with chimpanzees to understand the physiological stresses of space travel. The work conducted at Holloman during this era played a crucial role in the United States’ race to achieve air and space superiority during the Cold War.