Lost in Loomis

Nebraska Stories

Air Date: 02/13/2025

Does Loomis, Nebraska, make you think of the space race? Probably not. But back in 1934, this quiet prairie town became the focus of national attention when three members of the historic Explorer I expedition crash-landed in a local farmer’s field during their daring attempt to reach the stratosphere.

A large crew worked around the clock to fill the balloon with hydrogen.

A natural canyon near Rapid City, SD served as the launch site.

Explorer I expedition crew members Stevens, Kepner, and Anderson.

Bird's-eye view of the launch site during preparations.

Bird's-eye view of preparations the night before launch.

Gondola that transported crew to the stratosphere.

Crowd gathers around crash site near Loomis, NE.

The Explorer I gondola lies in pieces on Reuben Johnson's field.

A memorial plaque at the Stratobowl (South Dakota) commemorates the successful Explorer II expedition of 1935.