This is a J-2 liquid propellant rocket engine that uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. It was the powerplant for the second and third stages of the Project Apollo Saturn V launch vehicle which took astronauts to the Moon. The J-2 had a thrust of about 200,000 pounds but was later upgraded to 250,000 pounds. The J-2 shown here is an early development model and was used in three test firings for a total firing duration of 291 seconds. The Saturn V's second stage used five J-2's for a combined thrust of 1,150,000 pounds while the third stage had a single J-2. This engine was transferred by to the Smithsonian in 1986 from the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.
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
Pratt & Whitney
Dimensions
Overall: 132 in.long x 78 in. diameter, 5000 lb. (335.28cm, 2268kg, 198.12cm)
Materials
Stainless steels and other metals
Inventory Number
A19940099000
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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