This is the Redstone missile engine. Developed from 1950, it served as the powerplant for the Redstone missile, this country's first large-scale operational liquid propellant missile. On 31 January 1958, a modified version of the engine propelled the Jupiter-C launch vehicle that orbited the U.S.'s first artificial satellite, Explorer 1. The engine also launched the first American into space, Alan B. Shepard, aboard the Mercury-Redstone 3 (MR-3) on 5 May 1961.
In the Redstone missile the engine had a thrust of 78,000 pounds and used liquid oxygen and alcohol. As a booster for MR-3, it used Hydyne propellant, a hydrazine derivative, and produced 83,000 lbs of thrust.
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
Rocketdyne Div., North American Rockwell
Dimensions
Diameter, nozzle, 31.5 in. ; overall diameter, approx. 33 in. x 100 in. long (83.82 x 254cm)
Other (combustion chamber, outside): 33 in. (83.82cm); length, combustion chamber, 65.5 in.
Materials
Combustion chamber and injectors, 4130 steel; propellant lines and valves, aluminum allows; pumps and impellers, aluminum alloys; heat exchanger, non-ferrous metal; steam generator, steel
Inventory Number
A19750292000
Credit Line
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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