Poker Flat Research Range

The Poker Flat Research Range is a rocket launching facility north of Fairbanks, near the Chatanika River, operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks. It was built in under a year and made its first launches in March 1969.[1]

Origins

Geophysical Institute researcher Neil Davis had wanted a northern rocket-launching facility for years. After a January 1968 B-52 crash near Thule, Greenland, Denmark barred the U.S. military from using a Greenland rocket range, and military scientists needed rockets to release barium about 100 miles up to create an artificial red aurora to test whether over-the-horizon radar could track plasma clouds. They needed answers within a year.[1]

Construction

Construction began in mid-summer 1968. Geophysical Institute scientists, students and staff built the range without blueprints, using salvaged materials such as old mining cars, steel beams from an old Chatanika River bridge and a winch, and finished in less than a year without contractors. The Fairbanks North Star Borough leased the land to the university for $700 a year, with federal money funding the range and the military funding the launches.[1]

Launches

The first launches took place from March 5 to 20, 1969, with rockets carrying barium charges fired on cold nights, and the range was ready for six barium rockets. Davis led five NASA rocket missions from Poker Flat. As of February 2017, 345 rockets had flown over northern Alaska in the previous 48 years.[1]

FAQs

Where is Poker Flat? North of Fairbanks near the Chatanika River.

When were the first launches? March 5 to 20, 1969.

Who founded it? Geophysical Institute researcher Neil Davis.

Sources

1. Geophysical Institute: Alaska Science Forum: Cold War inspired first launch from Poker Flat

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue