Object Details
Manufacturer
Rocketdyne Division, Rockwell International (CA)
Summary
This is the vernier engine for the Atlas launch vehicle. Two engines of this type were required for vehicle roll and yaw attitude control during the boost phase of the flight, before ballistic trajectory was attained, and for making fine thrust adjustments of the missile's booster engine. The vernier is a small gimballed single-chamber engine of low, fixed thrust. Its propellants were drawn from the Atlas's main propellant tanks.
The vernier was developed by Rocketdyne, the same manufacturer of the main engines. The first successful flight of an Atlas, with its vernier engines, was made in 1957. The engine had a maximum thrust of about 1,000 lbs. This object was donated to the Smithsonian in 1976 by Rocketdyne.
Credit Line
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Date
1963
Inventory Number
A19761839000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
PROPULSION-Rocket Engines
Materials
Overall, steel; aluminum piping; plastic protective cap over nozzle
Dimensions
Overall: 2 ft. wide x 2 ft. 7 in. long, 47 lb. (60.96 x 78.74cm, 21.3kg)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Location
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
Exhibit Station
Rockets & Missiles
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nasm_A19761839000