During the Cold War, the United States led space exploration and research, but other nations, including Russia, have surpassed it. Over the years, various space launches and related facilities across the country have been used, abandoned, and left to decay.
Roland Miller has documented these locations in his new book, “Abandoned in Place,” which showcases sites integral to early unmanned space flights and moon excursions.
The photographs in “Abandoned in Place” capture a significant chapter in 20th-century history, from the pioneering unmanned missions to the moon landings. Many images convey the urgency of the space race, featuring signs and labels indicative of the era’s technology. Moreover, the structures depicted evoke the looming threat of nuclear conflict, hinting at the potential outcomes had tensions escalated during the Cold War. These abandoned launch complexes, test stands, and tunnels hold historical significance akin to sites like Bunker Hill and Gettysburg.
The book showcases scenes from various locations, including the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, and the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. These images offer a glimpse into the past and serve as modern-day archaeological sites, reminiscent of ancient landmarks like the Great Pyramids and Stonehenge.
