This is an early cooling liner for a Reaction Motors, Inc. (RMI) liquid-propellant, regeneratively-cooled rocket engine. The helical wrapped wires promoted the flow of fuel between the inner liner and outer cooling jacket of the motor. It was constructed and tested as part of the development of a JATO (Jet-Assisted-Take-Off) unit for use by heavily loaded seaplanes. RMI undertook the JATO project under contract to the U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics during World War II. RMI's motors used company founder James H. Wyld's design for the fuel circulating around the motor in a cooling jacket before being injected into the combustion chamber.
In the end, the Navy decided to use solid-propellant JATOs, rather than liquid-propellant ones, but RMI went on to be a significant rocket-engine company in the 1950s. Thiokol Chemical Corporation, which acquired RMI in 1958, gave this motor to the Smithsonian in 1975.
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-Components (Engine Parts)
Manufacturer
Reaction Motors, Inc.
Dimensions
Overall: 1ft 1 3/8in. x 3 3/8in. (34 x 8.6cm)
Materials
Stainless Steel, Steel, Protective Coating
Inventory Number
A19771246000
Credit Line
Gift 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.