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This is the Redstone rocket engine and was the U.S.'s first operational large-scale rocket engine. Development began in 1950 by North American Aviation. The engine used liquid oxygen and alcohol and developed 75,000 pounds of thrust.

On January 31, 1958, a modified Redstone rocket called the Jupiter-C, using more powerful fuel, launched Explorer 1, the first successful U.S. satellite, into orbit. On May 5, 1961, a Redstone launched Alan B. Shepard, the first American astronaut into space. The Redstone was the forerunner of other important large-scale U.S. engines, including those for the Thor, Jupiter, and Atlas missiles, the Saturn V launch vehicle, and the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). This object was donated to the Smithsonian in 1991 by the U.S. Army.

 Display Status

This object is on display in Rockets & Missiles at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

Rockets & Missiles
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Rocket Engines Manufacturer Rocketdyne Division, Rockwell International
 Dimensions Other (outer): 2 ft. 8 in. diameter x 10 ft. 9 in. long x 4 ft. 1 in. wide (81.3 x 327.7 x 124.5cm)
 Materials Combustion chamber, injectors, and some tubing, 4130 steel; propellant lines, pumps, impellers, and valves, aluminum alloys including heat exchanger; harness manifold and other parts, steel.
 Alternate Name Redstone Missile Rocket Engine Inventory Number A19910078000 Credit Line Transferred from the U.S. Army. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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