BRADENTON BEACH, Fla. – When Paris Hoisington and her family found a message in a small bottle on the beach last month, it seemed the story had ended with the bottle’s 4,600-mile, eight-year journey.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Bumper 8 successfully lifted off on July 24, 1950, at Launch Complex 3, at what was known as the Long Range Proving Ground. That was 75 years ago. “It’s a momentous day. It all ...