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The H-1 liquid-fuel rocket engine was the first stage power plant for the Saturn 1 and Saturn 1B launch vehicles, the precursors to the Saturn V, the rocket that propelled astronauts to the Moon in the Apollo program. The Saturn 1 and Saturn 1B were each fitted with eight H-1 engines in their first stages. The engine uses RP-1 (kerosene) and liquid oxygen.

The H-1 was evolved directly from Army Ballistic Missile Agency projects, specifically the Jupiter and Juno V - later re-designated the Saturn. The successful launches of the Saturn 1 and Saturn 1B led the way to the Saturn V. The Saturn 1, with its eight H-1's, first flew on October 27, 1961, while the last Saturn 1B was flown on July 15, 1975, for the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project.

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center transferred this H-1 engine to the Smithsonian Institution in 1970.

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. 1958-1975

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

PROPULSION-Rocket Engines

Manufacturer

Rocketdyne Division, Rockwell International (CA)

Dimensions

Overall: 75 in. tall x 98 in. long x 47 in. diameter, 1870 lb. (190.5 x 248.92 x 119.38cm, 848.2kg)

Materials

Chamber and nozzle coolant passages 347 stainless steel. Propellant tanks, lines, and valves, stainless steel. Pumps, aluminum alloys; turbine, Hastealloy. Injector, OHFC copper and 347 stainless steel.
Combustion chamber made of 292 stainless steel tubes. The assembly, except for inlet manifold, was furnaced brazed with gold brazing alloy. Injectors, furnaced brazed.

Inventory Number

A19700284000

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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