Object Details
Manufacturer
TRW, Inc., Electromechanical Division
Summary
Shown here is a test-fired attitude control motor of the APS (auxiliary propulsion system) for the S-IVB (third) stage of the Saturn V launch vehicle. APS motors like this one provided three axis control of roll, pitch, and yaw during Earth orbit and injection into lunar orbit. Each engine produced 150 pounds of thrust in pulses on request for a cumulative total of 5 minutes. The propellants consisted of hypergolic (self igniting) monomethyl hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide. Each APS module on the S-IVB stage contained three 150 pound thrust motors.
TRW (Thomson-Ramo-Woolridge) began developing the APS system for NASA in 1963. The system performed to specifications on all Saturn V flights from the unmanned Apollo 4 in 1967 through the last Apollo lunar mission in 1972.
Donated by McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co.
Credit Line
Transferred to the National Air and Space Museum from the McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co.
Inventory Number
A19740780000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
PROPULSION-Rocket Engines
Materials
Anodized aluminum, steel, stainless steel, non-magnetic metal, adhesive tape, paper labels, plastic, electrical wires, micarta, rubber.
Dimensions
29.2cm (11 1/2in.) (Approximate, tall cylinder)
19.1 x 19.7cm (7 1/2in. x 7 3/4in.) (Approximate, injector)
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_A19740780000