CIA U-2 spy plane development and Cold War missile silos

During the 1950s, the United States sought advanced intelligence regarding Soviet nuclear capabilities and military installations. To bypass Soviet air defenses, President Dwight D. Eisenhower approved the development of the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft. Designed by Lockheed’s Skunk Works division under Kelly Johnson, the aircraft featured long, slender wings and jet engines to operate at extreme altitudes where the air is thin.

In a separate development related to Cold War infrastructure, a former Atlas nuclear missile silo in Kansas has been converted into a luxury residence. Known as North Star, the site includes a 230-square-meter living space built within the former launch control center. The property, which includes a 12-meter tunnel and heavy armored doors, is currently being offered for sale by Duckncover, LLC.