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
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.