Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

This is the Cajun second stage of the Nike-Cajun sounding rocket. The Nike first stage (not shown here) was a modified solid-fuel booster rocket originally developed by the Army for the Nike-Ajax anti-aircraft missile system. Scientific instruments-ranging in weight from ten to one hundred pounds-carried in the Cajun's nose took measurements of the upper atmosphere. The Cajun, launched from a Nike-Ajax launcher, could reach a maximum altitude of fifty miles. The motor for the Cajun, built by the Thiokol Chemical Corporation, produced 9,620 pounds of thrust for three seconds.

The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics donated an entire Nike-Cajun sounding rocket to the Smithsonian in 1958.

 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
Date ca. 1957 Country of Origin United States of America Type CRAFT-Missiles & Rockets Manufacturer Thiokol Chemical Corporation
 Dimensions Overall: 1ft 6in. x 6ft 4 1/2in. x 8in. (45.72 x 194.31 x 20.32cm)
 Materials Body, stainless steel; fins, extruded Dural aluminum; motor, internal, steel; shiny silver band around larger diameter section below nose, aluminum; gray band, non-ferrous metal; band above, steel; nose, Inconel
 Inventory Number A19580045001 Credit Line Transferred to the Smithsonian from the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use. You may also like Herbert Desind: A Passion for Spaceflight