Object Details
Manufacturer
Airteck Dynamic Inc.
Summary
This is a titanium sphere from a U.S. Agena-D spacecraft that survived reentry into the Earth's atmosphere and impacted Australia in the early 1970s. The sphere was used to store gaseous helium on the spacecraft for propulsion. It is not known exactly what Agena-D the sphere came from or when it returned to Earth. Airteck Dynamic made the sphere and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory donated it to NASM in 1973.
Credit Line
Transferred from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
Inventory Number
A19730740000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed-Parts & Structural Components
Materials
Titanium
Paint
Dimensions
3-D (L x W x H) (Sphere): 54.6 × 61 × 55.9cm (1 ft. 9 1/2 in. × 2 ft. × 1 ft. 10 in.)
3-D (L x W x H) (Hexboard Storage): 81.3 × 81.3 × 74.9cm (2 ft. 8 in. × 2 ft. 8 in. × 2 ft. 5 1/2 in.)
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_A19730740000