This view shows the small nosecone for carrying a payload in a Nike rocket.

Launch of a Nike-Cajun rocket from the Croatan.

Technician working on payloads for the sounding rockets.

Tracking cameras on the flight deck of the Croatan. These cameras, like much of the equipment used for the cruise, were designed for mobile use on land and easily adapted for the sea voyage.

The Croatan’s large hangar and flight decks were ideal for parking equipment.

Replenishment of the Croatan’s sounding rocket supply was accomplished at sea.

Map and launch schedule for the sounding rocket campaign. Note that during one point of the cruise the ship was scheduled to launch 13 rockets off the coast of South America.

VIPs visit the Croatan while moored off of Lima.

A sounding rocket being prepared for a night launch.

In addition to the larger Nike-Cajun and Nike-Apache rockets, technicians also launched smaller Arcas rockets from a tube mounted on the stern of the Croatan.