Spectrograph, Viking #3

Casing and part of the optics from a double spectrograph designed to be flown on a U.S. Navy Viking sounding rocket. This spectrograph was intended to be flown in February 1950 on the third of the twelve Vikings built. The instrument, which was probably not flown, is significantly different from those from those flown on the V-2's (see Catalogue# 19840018000) and represents a transitional step to those used on the later Aerobee rockets (see Catalogue# 19840020000). The Viking liquid fueled rocket was designed by the Naval Research Laboratory shortly after World War II as a research vehicle to replace the dwindling supply of V-2's. The artifact is part of a suite of NRL-designed instruments transferred to NASM by the Laboratory in December 1983.