
It is an enormous 2,850-acre site, 30 miles from downtown Los Angeles, that was once a top-secret NASA lab.

Santa Susana Field Laboratory now stands unused and frozen in time, slowly rusting and decaying in the elements.

Despite being abandoned for the best part of a decade, the colossal structure still towers over the skyline.

The enormous station, which still has 24-hour surveillance and security, was opened on a craggy plateau in easternmost Ventura County in 1948.

In 1959, it was home to America's first and worst nuclear disaster.

The colossal structure was once home to leading-edge nuclear, solar and sodium technology development, and rocket engine testing

The 2,850-acre facility in Ventura County, which is now owned by Boeing Co. and NASA, has been abandoned since 2006

The metal structures within the site are slowly rusting - in 1959, it was home to the first and worst nuclear disaster in America's history

A reactor had experienced a power surge overnight and spewed radioactive gases into the atmosphere.

To prevent a potentially devastating explosion, workers were ordered to open the exhaust stacks and release massive amounts of radiation into the sky.

As they worked frantically to try and repair the damaged reactor, they realized their efforts were only generating more radioactive gas.

So for weeks, often in the dark of night, they were instructed to open the large door in the reactor building and let out the radiation into the air.

Six weeks after the meltdown, the Atomic Energy Commission issued a press release saying there had been a minor 'fuel element failure' at Area Four's largest reactor in July.

But they said there had been 'no release of radioactive materials' to the environment.

Scott Haefner, who took the pictures, said: 'I find the structures extremely photogenic, especially the juxtaposition of the gargantuan, unfamiliar looking man-made structures nestled among the beautiful, rocky landscape and rolling hills'

It was also the site of more than 30,000 rocket engine tests, before that ended in 2006 - since then the site has stood empty

Half a century after the nuclear accident in 1959, clean-up operations and chemical decontamination remain incomplete

Energy research experiments, including nuclear, solar and sodium technology development, and rocket engine testing occurred at the site

In July 1959, the site suffered a partial nuclear meltdown that has been named 'the worst in U.S. history', releasing an undisclosed amount of radioactivity

It was not until 1979 details of the incident were disclosed, when a group of UCLA students discovered documents and photographs that referred to a problem at the site involving a 'melted blob.'

Ever since, residents have worried about downstream health risks associated with soil contaminated by years of rocket and nuclear testing.

Despite that, scientists at the site conducted nuclear research for the government until 1988.

It was also the site of more than 30,000 rocket engine tests, before that ended in 2006.

Since then, the station has stood empty, its metal structure slowly rusting as it lies abandoned.

Mr Haefner said: 'I think people are probably struck by the beauty of these hulking beasts and the opposition of these "ugly", decaying man-made structures to the beauty of the surrounding natural landscape'

Scientists at the site, originally operated by North American Rockwell, conducted nuclear research for more than four decades

It was also the site of more than 30,000 rocket engine tests, the explosions serving as a Cold War-era hallmark for nearby residents

Scott Haefner, 41, from San Francisco, hiked miles up and over a rocky terrain mountain to avoid the security at the site and take pictures.

He said: 'While it's fun sneaking around and accessing off-limits places, I also think it's important to document historic structures like these before they're gone.

'The rocket engine test that supported the space program and Intercontinental Ballistic Missile ICBM programs took place here.

'In addition, the site was used for testing and developing nuclear reactors, including the first reactor launched into outer space by the US.

'It wasn't until the 2000s that concerned citizens began demanding health studies and started pressuring the US government to begin modern clean-up efforts.

'The reactor and support systems were removed in 1981 and that building was torn down in 1999. So I hopefully I wasn't exposed to any radiation.

'My main goal is to create artistic shots that resonate with people.

'Some of the stands are hundreds of feet tall, a maze of steel platforms, catwalks, ladders, and support structures.