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This is a cutaway of an early experimental "spaghetti" type liquid fuel rocket engine chamber of Reaction Motors, Incorporated (RMI). The term "spaghetti" was used because the vertical cooling tubes resemble a stack of spaghetti. This engine was never fired. The "spaghetti" design is attributed to Ed Neu Jr. of RMI about 1947.

The spaghetti concept was a revolutionary development in liquid propellant rocket technology. The design incorporated regenerative cooling in which the fuel circulated around the entire combustion chamber before injection into the combustion chamber for combustion. The cooling tubes also formed the walls of the entire chamber, making it very light. This object was donated to the Smithsonian by Bob Holder.

 Display Status

This object is on display in Rockets & Missiles at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

Rockets & Missiles
Object Details
Date ca. 1955 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Rocket Engines Manufacturer Reaction Motors, Inc.
 Dimensions Overall: 6 1/4 in. wide x 1 ft. 3 in. tall (15.9 x 38.1cm)
 Materials Mainly Inconel, with iron-based welds; some tubes aluminum.
 Inventory Number A20020083000 Credit Line Gift of Bob Holder. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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