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This is a 25-pound thrust Gemini Orbital Attitude Maneuvering System (OAMS) thruster. OAMS thrusters provided thrust for the U.S. manned Gemini spacecraft to rendezvous with the Agena target vehicle. They also controlled the spacecraft in orbit, enabled the separation of the Gemini from the second stage Titan launch vehicle and inserted it into orbit. They also provided abort capability.

The thrusters used hypergolic (self-igniting) propellants of nitrogen tetroxide and monomethylenehydrazine that made the system simple and reliable and eliminated the need for an igniter. OAMS thrusters were used on all Gemini flights up to the end of the program in 1966. This object was donated to the Smithsonian in 1973 by Rocketdyne.

 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 Overall: 7 in. wide x 1 ft. long x 3 in. diameter (17.78 x 30.48 x 7.62cm)
 Materials Overall, stainless steel; nozzle, phenolic; plastic nozzle protective cover; rubber gaskets between protective cover and lip of nozzle; two yellow and two blue plastic protective caps over ends of the smaller tubes at plumbling end of motor.
 Inventory Number A19730723000 Credit Line Gift of McDonnell Douglas Corporation Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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