How to launch a nuclear missile

Inside the world's last Titan II nuclear silo. During the Cold War this structure held the most powerful weapon ever deployed by the United States. Today the warhead is gone but eveything else remains; giving me the perfect oportunity to explore the engineering and logistics behind how to launch a nuclear ICBM.

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0:00 Doomsday
0:30 The order arrives
1:40 Into the bunker
4:27 Fueling up
7:45 Launch
10:20 Into the unknown

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Created by James Dingley, Julia Witham, Rafa "I want coffee" Monardez, and Julian Dingley

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Hi, I'm James. I explore the world looking for interesting engineering stories which explore complex issues in interesting ways. I've just started a PhD in space robotics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

[AtomicFrontier]

Filming this was a blast! It's great to be back making videos

[chickennoodle]

Thanks! Now I know how to launch if I’m ever visiting a missile silo.

[snupnick]

this absolute chad comes back after half a year just to tell us how to launch a nuke

[hotelmario]

James Dingley is the 21st century's answer to James Burke. The presentation style is so similar.

I still find it hard to believe this is an independent production and not financed by the BBC. It's genuinely incredible.

[pcfreak]

This channel is ridiculously underrated. How can someone produce such quality content and only have around 200k subscribers?

[nikiwu]

The Butterfly Valve Lock code saying "URDEAD" is a nice touch

[whatsthematter]

Finally theres a tutorial on this! I've been trying and failing to launch a nuke for years and this tutorial actually worked for me! Thanks Atomic Frontier!

[b.buster]

The Titan missile museum near Green Valley, AZ lets amateur radio operators use the multiband antenna on special occasions. It's a big flex in the world of radio to say you're talking on an antenna that used to receive launch codes.

[sparc]

Nicely done, and that from a former crewmember. There was a minor mistake, but I suspect only an actual crew member would have spotted it. Loved the code for the BVLC. On the simulator where I was stationed, it was SACSUX.

[therandommemecat]

Hey guys, it's Lockpickinglawyer, in the missile silo

[TwashMan]

Your motion tracking has gotten so good! You've really found your own personality and style too. love watching all your videos

[BradenPitts_]

I love the Titan Missile Museum, I'm very happy to see you were able to visit! It's an excellent museum and very much worth the trip.

[simonabunker]

Great to see you back! Nice that you got sole access to shoot this video - I think I have seen a few other demonstrations with groups of tourists.

[Axman]

Nuclear weapons, biblically accurate angel antennae, and the Dingley swagger? You know you’re in for a good time! I hope you’ve read Command & Control, it adds so much more context to these facilities.

[HDScorpio]

The timing whilst walking down the corridor was amazing!

[d-i-ry]

about 7 years ago, Veritasium made a video on the same topic. I just rewatched it, and your storytelling is SO much more compelling. another great vid!

[MarkReviews]

Hands down, one of the best channels on YouTube! Glad to see you back.

[_b_e_n_]

thank you! i got a nuke off ebay and was wondering how i was ment to launch this thing

[Splattle]

Good video. The Titan II silo had side vents for the exhaust plume; two separate tunnels to the surface that exhausted either side of the silo door. They're visible at 9.53 in the vid.

[manamsetty]

Thanks dude this was extremely helpful
I recently got the job of a Commander in the silos and your video was better than my entire training