1 Images

This is the flown RVX 1-5 reentry vehicle, built by General Electric for the U.S. Air Force and the first reentry vehicle recovered by the United States after an intercontinental-range flight. Launched on 8 April 1959 atop a Thor-Able rocket from Cape Canaveral, it was recovered in the South Atlantic after a down-range flight of 10,180 km (6,325 miles), during which it reached temperatures above 12,000 F. Instruments within the RVX 1-5 and the nose cap, which was protected by special Avcoite heat-shielding material, provided valuable scientific data to the Air Force. The nose cap at the tip of the vehicle is a mock-up, as the flown one was removed for testing and was acquired separately by NASM in 1963. This RVX 1-5 was donated by the Air Force in 1960.

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

CRAFT-Missile & Rocket Parts

Manufacturer

Avco Corportation

Dimensions

Storage (On original display stand with one other object): 153.7 × 240 × 165.1cm (60 1/2 × 94 1/2 × 65 in.)
3-D: 172.7 × 162.6 × 69.9cm (68 × 64 × 27 1/2 in.)

Materials

Wood
Paint
Plastic
Non-Magnetic Metal Alloy
Iron Alloy
Synthetic Fabric
Unknown Coating/Tar
Copper Alloy
Possible Cadmium Plating

Inventory Number

A19610021000

Credit Line

Transferred from the United States Air Force

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

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