Object Details
Manufacturer
Aerojet General Corp.
Summary
This is an early experimental "spaghetti" type liquid fuel rocket engine chamber of the Aerojet-General Corporation and dates to about 1948. The term "spaghetti" was used because the vertical cooling tubes resemble a stack of spaghetti. The "spaghetti" design is attributed to Ed Neu, Jr. of RMI about 1947 but the engine shown here was an independent devlopment by Robert Gordon of Aerojet.
The spaghetti concept was a revolutionary development in liquid propellant rocket technology. The design used regenerative cooling in which the fuel circulated around the combustion chamber before injection into the combustion chamber for combustion. The cooling tubes also formed the walls of the entire chamber, making it very light. This object was donated to the Smithsonian by Robert Gordon.
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. Robert Gordon.
Date
1948
Inventory Number
A20020085000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
PROPULSION-Rocket Engines
Materials
Stainless steel
Dimensions
Other: 1 ft. 6 1/2 in. long x 6 1/2 in. diameter (47 x 16.5cm)
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_A20020085000