Object Details
Manufacturer
Avco Corportation
Summary
This is the flown RVX 1-5 reentry vehicle, built by General Electric for the U.S. Air Force and the first reentry vehicle recovered by the United States after an intercontinental-range flight. Launched on 8 April 1959 atop a Thor-Able rocket from Cape Canaveral, it was recovered in the South Atlantic after a down-range flight of 10,180 km (6,325 miles), during which it reached temperatures above 12,000 F. Instruments within the RVX 1-5 and the nose cap, which was protected by special Avcoite heat-shielding material, provided valuable scientific data to the Air Force. The nose cap at the tip of the vehicle is a mock-up, as the flown one was removed for testing and was acquired separately by NASM in 1963. This RVX 1-5 was donated by the Air Force in 1960.
Credit Line
Transferred from the United States Air Force
Inventory Number
A19610021000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
CRAFT-Missile & Rocket Parts
Materials
Wood
Paint
Plastic
Non-Magnetic Metal Alloy
Iron Alloy
Synthetic Fabric
Unknown Coating/Tar
Copper Alloy
Possible Cadmium Plating
Dimensions
Storage (On original display stand with one other object): 153.7 × 240 × 165.1cm (60 1/2 × 94 1/2 × 65 in.)
3-D: 172.7 × 162.6 × 69.9cm (68 × 64 × 27 1/2 in.)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nasm_A19610021000