Stuff They Don't Want You To Know The Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex
Sep 17, 2025
Explore the intriguing story of the Stanley R. Mickelson Safeguard Complex, a massive Cold War relic that was operational for just one day. Uncover the tensions behind the arms race and the flawed anti-ballistic missile strategies. Learn how viral claims clash with documented facts about the site and its modern-day implications. Delve into the politics that led to its rapid shutdown and discover the remnants of this abandoned complex, from auctions to urban exploration opportunities.
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Mickelson Was A Real, Expensive ABM Project
- The Stanley R. Mickelson Safeguard Complex was a real Cold War ABM project built to detect and destroy Soviet missiles.
- It cost about $5.7–5.8 billion in 1970s money and opened in October 1975.
Missile Defense Needed Radical Tradeoffs
- The site's core technology was phased-array radar and fast interceptors to stop ICBMs by detonating warheads mid-air.
- Designers accepted detonating nuclear weapons over US territory as a defense trade-off.
Defunded Immediately But Not Instantly Closed
- Congress voted to defund the site a day after it opened, but the facility remained operational for months.
- The cost and construction couldn't be reversed, so the site lingered despite political rejection.