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Shown here is a retro rocket used to decelerate manned spacecraft in orbit in preparation for re-entry into the earth's atmosphere during NASA's Project Mercury in the 1960s. NASA acquired the engine on contract from the Thiokol Chemical Corporation's Elkton, Maryland production plant. The rocket produced a thrust of 1,000 pounds for ten seconds.

NASA fitted three of these rockets onto the heat shield of a Mercury capsule. Each rocket fired separately on five-second delays to slow the capsule gradually for re-entry. One minute after use, the the retro rocket package jettisoned from the spacecraft to afford unencumbered re-entrry. The rockets either fired automatically through the action of an orbital timing device or manually by the astronaut on board if required.

Transfered from NASA's Johnson Space Center.

 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-Rocket Engines Manufacturer Thiokol Chemical Corporation
 Dimensions 3-D: 38.1 x 35.6 x 30.5cm (15 x 14 x 12 in.)
Height, 16.75 inches; width, 14.5 inches; diameter, nozzle, approximately 5.5 inches; weight, about 18 pounds
 Materials Steel
Ablative Material
Paint
Paper
Adhesive
Plastic
Ink
Overall, steel; brown phenolic nozzle; paint, yellow green chromate, now peeling extensively
 Inventory Number A19731458000 Credit Line Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.