This is a piece of one section of the nose fairing for the U.S. Navy's Poseidon C-3 submarine-launched ballistic missile, deployed from 1971 into the early 1990s. It is made of nine plies of Sitka spruce wood bonded together. During the missile's launch, the nose fairing and nose cap protected the reentry vehicle and its nuclear warheads housed inside from air friction temperatures approaching 1000 degrees. Explosive devices blew the nose fairing and nose cap off shortly after the missile entered space. Lockheed Missiles & Space Company made and donated this object to NASM.
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
CRAFT-Missile & Rocket Parts
Manufacturer
Lockheed Missiles and Space Co.
Dimensions
Overall: 2ft 1 1/4in. x 6in. x 5 1/4in. (64.14 x 15.24 x 13.34cm)
Materials
Wood, aluminum, and cork
Inventory Number
A19731668006
Credit Line
Gift of Lockheed Missiles & Space Company
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.