Unflown de-spin section from an Aerobee sounding rocket. The Aerobee-type rockets were spin stabilized at launch, but to take useful measurements many types of instruments needed a stabilized platform. The de-spin section employed two yo-yo weights that would be shot out of the canister and absorb the momentum of spin, thus reducing the rate of spinning of the rocket itself. This artifact is part of a collection from the Naval Research Laboratory (see Catalogue numbers 19880001000-19880017000).
Transferred from NRL to the Museum in 1987.
Display Status
This object is on display in Rockets & Missiles at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
INSTRUMENTS-Scientific
Manufacturer
Naval Research Laboratory
Dimensions
3-D: 2 ft diameter, 2 1/2 ft height
Materials
Aluminum
Inventory Number
A19880020000
Credit Line
Transferred from the Naval Research Laboratory
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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