There’s a place not too far from where many of us live, drive, and raise our families that quietly helped put humans on the moon.
Have you ever heard of Rocketdyne? A name that may not come up in everyday conversation, but its legacy is literally out of this world.
For decades, Rocketdyne was one of the most important rocket engine manufacturers in the United States. The engines that powered the Apollo moon missions and later the Space Shuttle program were designed and built right here in Southern California.
Think about that for a second, technology that carried astronauts beyond Earth started in places like Canoga Park.
The company’s main manufacturing hub sat at 8900 De Soto Avenue in Canoga Park. Not far from there, in the hills between Ventura and Los Angeles counties, another site played a critical role: the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, often referred to as SSFL. That’s where engines were pushed to their limits, tested, refined, and made ready for space.
Rocketdyne didn’t just build engines. It built some of the most powerful machines ever created. The F-1 engine, used in the Saturn V rocket, remains one of the most powerful single-chamber liquid-fueled rocket engines ever developed. Later, the RS-25 engines helped launch the Space Shuttle, becoming a symbol of innovation and American engineering.
But like many stories tied to rapid technological progress, this one has another side.
The Santa Susana site is also known for a serious environmental history. In 1959, a partial nuclear meltdown occurred there, an incident that, for years, remained largely out of public view. Over time, additional chemical contamination issues surfaced, raising concerns among nearby communities about long-term health and environmental impacts.
Today, those concerns are still part of the conversation, and they’ve become more detailed, more personal, and in many ways, more urgent.
The Santa Susana Field Laboratory, or what many still call “Rocketdyne,” has been linked to potential health risks due to both chemical and radioactive contamination. Substances such as trichloroethylene (TCE), perchlorate, hydrazine, arsenic, and other radionuclides have been identified at the site after decades of rocket and nuclear testing.
Communities surrounding the area, including Simi Valley, West Hills, Bell Canyon, Dayton Canyon, Chatsworth, Woodland Hills, and Canoga Park, have all been part of the larger conversation about this exposure.
Experts say exposure may have happened in different ways over the years. Airborne contamination from testing and burning activities is one concern. Groundwater contamination is another issue, especially for residents who once relied on private wells.
When it comes to health impacts, the data tells a complicated story, and researchers have been trying to make sense of it for years.
Studies have investigated whether past activities at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory may be connected to cancer rates. These studies were pulled from state cancer registries and were reviewed by independent experts, adding a layer of scientific oversight. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has since summarized the findings into two main categories: one focused on cancer rates in nearby communities, and another on cancer rates among former SSFL workers.
Some findings point to elevated cancer risks among workers, including cancers affecting the blood, lymph system, mouth, throat, and stomach. A 2007 study also suggested a possible connection between higher cancer rates in nearby communities and chemical exposure.
At the same time, other studies have found little to no clear increase in cancer rates among surrounding populations. That contradiction has fueled ongoing debate, leaving many residents unsure about what to believe and where the full picture truly stands.
There have also been specific moments that raised an alarm. In 2002, perchlorate, a chemical linked to thyroid issues, was detected in water wells in Simi Valley. Officials disagreed on whether the contamination originated from the Rocketdyne site, adding yet another layer of uncertainty.
Efforts to remediate the Santa Susana Field Laboratory have been ongoing for years, but not without delays and disagreements. Companies like Boeing, along with environmental agencies and regulators, have gone back and forth over how extensive the cleanup should be.
Back in Canoga Park, the original Rocketdyne plant is no longer there. It’s been demolished, making way for redevelopment. And after being acquired by L3Harris Technologies in 2023, the company continues in a new chapter, far removed from its peak years in Southern California.
Meanwhile, community groups such as the Rocketdyne Cleanup Coalition continue to push for transparency and stronger action.
According to Boing.com, even though a large-scale cleanup has been delayed for decades, major remediation milestones are finally scheduled for 2026 under new legally binding agreements. As of early 2026, the Santa Susana Field Laboratory site remains significantly contaminated with hazardous chemicals and radionuclides.
And the legacy remains. This is one of those stories that reminds us progress isn’t always simple. The same place that helped humanity reach the stars also left behind questions here on Earth, questions about safety, accountability, and long-term impact.
