National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Past Exhibition
This is the jacket for a regeneratively-cooled liquid fuel 3000-A-1 rocket engine developed by Reaction Motors, Inc. (RMI), beginning in 1943. the motor was a JATO (Jet-Assisted-Take-Off) unit to be used on heavily loaded seaplanes. The jacket fitted over the motor liner, creating a double walled chamber that allowed fuel to flow around the combustion chamber prior to being injected into the chamber. This cooled the motor and preheated the fuel, increasing the efficiency of combustion.
The motor produced 3,000 pounds of thrust and used liquid oxygen and gasoline for tests. The Navy used this motor on an experimental basis, but adopted the simpler and cheaper solid propellant JATOs developed by the Aerojet General Corporation. RMI did, however, use principles from this engine to develop others including the 6000C-4, which was used in the Bell X-1.
RMI donated this engine jacket to the Smithsonian Institution in 1985.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
PROPULSION-Accessories (to an Engine)
Manufacturer
Reaction Motors, Inc.
Dimensions
Overall: 32 in. long x 8 1/2 in. diameter (81.28 x 21.59cm)
Materials
Metal, copper
Inventory Number
A19850111000
Credit Line
Gift of the Reaction Motors Division of Thiokol Chemical Corporation
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.
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