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This is an attitude control motor, or APS (Auxiliary Propulsion System), for the S-IVB (third stage) of the Saturn V launch vehicle developed for Project Apollo to carry humans to the Moon. APS motors provided three axis control of roll, pitch and yaw control for the S-IV during Earth orbit and injection into lunar orbit. Each motor produced 150 pounds of thrust.

APS engines were used in all the Apollo Saturn V flights from 1967 to 1972. The Saturn V last flew when it lifted Skylab, the U.S.'s first Earth-orbiting space station, in 1973. The APS shown here was transferred to the NASM in 1974 by the McDonnell Douglas Co.

 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 TRW, Inc., Electromechanical Division
 Dimensions 3-D: 41.9 × 35.6 × 17.8cm (1 ft. 4 1/2 in. × 1 ft. 2 in. × 7 in.)
 Materials Silica
Aluminum Alloy
Stainless Steel
Phenolic resin
Fiberglass
Plastic
Adhesive Tape
Zirconia Coating
 Inventory Number A19740784000 Credit Line Gift of McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.