This is the RL10, the world's first operational liquid-hydrogen/liquid oxygen high energy rocket engine and was re-startable in space. Two RL10s, each of 15,000 pounds of thrust, made up the Centaur upper stage of Atlas and Titan launch vehicles. A cluster of six RL10s also powered the second stage of the Saturn 1, a precursor to the Saturn V manned Project Apollo lunar launch vehicle.
The Atlas-Centaur first successfully flew in 1966 and was the first full-thrust re-start in space. Atlas-Centaur missions included Surveyor lunar probes, Mariner planetry probes, and Pioneers 10-11 to Jupiter and Saturn. This RL10 was transffered in 1966 by NASA to the NASM.
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
Date
1962
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
PROPULSION-Rocket Engines
Manufacturer
Pratt & Whitney
Dimensions
Overall: 70 in. long x 39 in. diameter (177.8 x 99.06cm)
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
A19680011000
Credit Line
Transferred from NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use.