Object Details
Manufacturer
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Summary
This low power neutral particle beam (NPB) accelerator developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory was one of several directed energy weapons investigated by the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization for possible use in missile defense. As part of the Beam Experiments Aboard Rocket project, it was launched from White Sands in July 1989 to an altitude of 200 kilometers (124 miles), operated successfully in space, and after reentry was recovered intact. The test's goals included determining NPB propagation characteristics in space and the effects on spacecraft components. Although research continued into NPBs, no deployed weapon has ever employed this technology.
Los Alamos transferred this artifact to the Museum in 2006.
Credit Line
Transferred from the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Inventory Number
A20070004000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed-Instruments & Payloads
Materials
Aluminum, Kapton (Polymide), Plastic, Copper, Stainless Steel, Rubber (Silicone), Paint, Acrylic (Plexiglas), Gold Plating, Fiberglas, Synthetic Fabric, Adhesive, Brass, Teflon, Phenolic Resin, Cadmium plating
foam
dolly - metal
Dimensions
Overall (BEAR) : 13ft 8in. x 3ft 7in. (416.56 x 109.22cm)
Overall (dolly) : 5ft 7in. x 4ft 7in. x 12ft (170.18 x 139.7 x 365.76cm)
Overall (arm of the dolly) : 7ft 1in. (215.9cm)
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_A20070004000