Rocket Engine, Liquid Fuel, Attitude Control, Pitch, for Titan 3E Launch Vehicle

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Object Details

Manufacturer

Rocketdyne, Division of North American Aviation Co.

Summary

Shown here is one of three combustion chambers of a liquid-fuel attitude control rocket engine assembly used on the Titan 3E launch vehicle. It controlled the vehicle's roll and yaw. Developed by the Rocketdyne Division of North American Aviation, the SE-9 (as it was also known), collectively produced 135 pounds of thrust (45 pounds each) and used storable, hypergolic (self-igniting) propellants. This feature maintained simplicity of operation and improved reliability.

The Titan 3E originated out of the Air Force's Titan family of intercontinental ballistic missiles, which first entered service in the early 1960s. In modified form, it included two added solid-propellant boosters and a Centaur upper stage. Initially, the Titan 3E launched deep space probes or satellites. The first successful launch took place on December 10, 1974. Less than a year later, a Titian 3E launched two Viking spacecraft to Mars.

Transferred from the U.S. Air Force.

Credit Line

Transferred from the United States Air Force

Inventory Number

A19700337000

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

PROPULSION-Rocket Engines

Materials

Anodized Aluminum

Fiberglass

Steel

Stainless Steel

Rubber

Paint

Plastic

Ink

Adhesive

Silver Plating

Nozzle, tan phenolic; fittings stainless steel; black rubber nozzle protective cover over nozzle; steel clamps around cover; most of the propellant lines, brass colored, and probably of brass; mount in middlle, probably of coated aluminum; two electrical wires with black plastic insulation, projecting from bulbous clear plastic leads from inlets; two plastic protective caps ["caplugs"], one red, the other yellow, over two electrical plug faces on the mount.

Dimensions

3-D: 47 x 23.5 x 14cm (18 1/2 x 9 1/4 x 5 1/2 in.)

Overall: 8.2kg (18lb.)

Country of Origin

United States of America

See more items in

National Air and Space Museum Collection

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Metadata Usage

Not determined

Link to Original Record

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv94d33d66b-2b39-4b02-8bf1-cdeaef546c34

Record ID

nasm_A19700337000