This is the H-1 liquid-fuel rocket engine, the first stage powerplant for the Saturn 1 and Saturn 1B launch vehicles, the precursors to the Saturn V that took men to the Moon in the Apollo program. The Saturn 1 and Saturn 1B were each fitted with eight H-1 engines in their first stages. The engine was developed and built by the Rocketdyne Division of North American Aviation, Inc., and used RP-1 (kerosene) and liquid oxygen. The H-1 evolved from the Jupiter missile engine.
The version of the engine shown here developed about 188,000 lbs of thrust. The Saturn 1B launched Apollo 7 in 1968, Skylab missions in 1973, and the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. This engine was donated in 1968 to the Smithsonian by Rocketdyne.
Display Status
This object is on display in Rockets & Missiles at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.
Object Details
Date
ca. 1958-1975
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
PROPULSION-Rocket Engines
Manufacturer
Rocketdyne Division, Rockwell International
Dimensions
Overall: 5 ft. 3/8 in. wide x 6 ft. 1 1/4 in. long x 3 ft. 11 in. diameter, 2000 lb. (153.42 x 186.06 x 119.38cm, 907.2kg)
Materials
Chamber and nozzle coolant passages 347 stainless steel. Propellant tanks, lines, and valves, stainless steel. Pumps, aluminum alloys; turbine, Hastealloy. Injector, OHFC copper and 347 stainless steel.
Combustion chamber made of 292 stainless steel tubes. The assembly, except for inlet manifold, was furnaced brazed with gold brazing alloy. Injectors, furnaced brazed.
Alternate Name
H-1 Rocket Engine
Inventory Number
A19680012000
Credit Line
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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