This is the Aerobee 150 sounding rocket that was capable of reaching an altitude of about 170 miles (270 km) with a payload of 150 pounds (70 kg) of scientific instruments. The rocket consisted of a solid-fuel booster and a liquid-fuel sustainer stage.
The atmospheric, and sometimes astronomical experiments, were performed during the few minutes when the rocket reached its peak altitude. The data was automatically relayed back to a ground station by radio transmission. This rocket was donated to the Smithsonian in 1976 by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
ca. 1955-1970
United States of America
CRAFT-Missiles & Rockets
Aerojet General Corp.
Overall: 30 ft. long x 1 ft. 3 in. diameter (914.4 x 38.1cm)
Overall, aluminum with some steel
Aerobee 150 Rocket
A19760034000
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
National Air and Space Museum
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