The RL-10 was the world's first operational liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen high energy rocket engine and was restartable in space. Two RL-10 engines, each producing 15,000 pounds of thrust made up the Centaur upper stage used with the Atlas and Titan launch vehicles. A cluster of six RL-10 engines also powered the second stage of the Saturn 1 vehicle.
The first successful flight of the Atlas-Centaur took place on October 26, 1966, and was the first time the RL-10 made a full-thrust re-start in space. The Titan-Centaur made its first successful flight on December 10, 1974, and placed the Helios solar probe into an accurate solar orbit. The first Saturn 1 launch with RL-10s took place on January 29, 1964 and lifted a test payload into space, then on February 16, 1965 placed a Pegasus satellite into orbit.
The NASA - Marshall Space Flight Center transferred this RL-10 to the Smithsonian Institution in 1975.
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: 70 in. tall x 38 1/2 in. diameter, 895 lb. (177.8 x 97.79cm, 406kg)
Materials
Chamber, 347 stainless steel brazed with silver; piping, polished stainless steel; aluminum casting pump; heat exchanger of nickel alloy. Pump, aluminum casting
Inventory Number
A19751433000
Credit Line
Transferred from the NASA - Marshall Space Flight Center
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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