The following description is of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) as mounted horizontally. Bell-shaped nozzle, mainly gray, with plumbing at narrow part of nozzle; nozzle with nine equi-distant hoops, including rim at end; nozzle also made of form-fitting, horizontal cooling tubes; copper colored depresion down nozzle, in throat area, before injector plate; injector plate with multiple injection holes and one central hole; three horizontal pipes, 1.5 inches in diameter, with some curves, running from bottom rim of nozzle, to silver colored ring around top (end) of nozzle; similar pipe running horizontally along bottom, also from bottom rim to silver ring; two similar pipes, with some curves, running on other side of horizontally displayed engine, from bottom rim of nozzle to silver ring, and one single pipe, underneath (i.e. two pipes underneath); plumbing, or powerhead, includes one large 6-inch dimater pipe, curved, projecting from large cylindrical component on top, around powerhead, to opposite side and into a cut-away impeller (propellant pump) facing top of powerhead, as seen from the front of the impeller described above, and an identical cut-away impeller (at left), just opposite; red colored fixtures partly around and connecting each of the two impellers; large 6 inch diameter pipe projecting, left (as seen from front), underneath powerhead, then bending around and by-passing right impeller and attached at bottom, behind right impeller; powerhead also includes many smallerdiameter pipes, horizontal, some gray some silver, some wrapped with yellow plastic wrapping, diagonally Engine on blue transporter, stand, rectangular, with squares projecting from each corner, each with two tires; A-shaped frame in front of transporter, the engine mounted horizontally from the top of the A; pull-down handle, with eye-hole, on front, for connection to a pulling vehicle Created by Dane Penland Date Created 12/27/2005 Source Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, NASM Original Photography, NASM Acc. 2012-0026. Keywords Engines; Missions; Rockets; Space; Space Shuttle Rights and Restrictions Not determined
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