Object Details
Manufacturer
Bell Aircraft Corp.
Summary
This attitude control system thruster for the Mercury spacecraft was built by the Bell Aircraft Corporation. It provided attitude control and stabilization for the spacecraft during the Earth orbital and reentry phases of its mission. The single propellant was hydrogen peroxide released as a gas in small pulses as needed. There were two separate systems, one for manual control by the astronaut and the other for automatic control.
The manual thrust chambers were throttleable using a hand controller operated by the astronaut. The chambers were also known as the pitch, yaw, and roll control jets, or pitch, yaw, and roll thrusters. This object was donated to the Smithsonian in 1972 by the NASA Johnson Space Flight Center.
Credit Line
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Inventory Number
A19721138000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
PROPULSION-Rocket Engines
Materials
Stainless steel
Dimensions
Overall: 4 in. wide x 5 1/2 in. deep (10.2 x 14cm)
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_A19721138000