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This is an early experimental "spaghetti" type liquid fuel rocket engine chamber of the Aerojet-General Corporation and dates to about 1948. The term "spaghetti" was used because the vertical cooling tubes resemble a stack of spaghetti. The "spaghetti" design is attributed to Ed Neu, Jr. of RMI about 1947 but the engine shown here was an independent devlopment by Robert Gordon of Aerojet.

The spaghetti concept was a revolutionary development in liquid propellant rocket technology. The design used regenerative cooling in which the fuel circulated around the 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 Robert Gordon.

 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 1948 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Rocket Engines Manufacturer Aerojet General Corp.
 Dimensions Other: 1 ft. 6 1/2 in. long x 6 1/2 in. diameter (47 x 16.5cm)
 Materials Stainless steel
 Inventory Number A20020085000 Credit Line Gift of Dr. Robert Gordon. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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