The turbopump and steam generator assembly of the V-2 engine drew the propellants--liquid oxygen and 75% alcohol--from the missile's tanks and injected them under pressure into the combustion chamber. At a thrust of 25 metric tons (about 56,000 lb), the V-2 was the world's first large liquid-propellant rocket engine, and as such was of groundbreaking historical importance. It was also the first large turbo-pumped liquid-fuel rocket engine, following on earlier German experiments.
The turbopump had to move approx. 9700 kg (21,400 lb.) of liquid oxygen from the tanks to the engine during the sixty-second burning time. Driving the turbopump was the steam generator, which used hydrogen peroxide (codenamed T-Stoff) mixed with Z-Stoff, a catalyst consisting of a 27% solution of sodium permanganate. Those liquids were forced into a mixing chamber by compressed air. This Smithsonian artifact was a gift of the U.S. Air Force Museum in 1959.
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
PROPULSION-Accessories (to an Engine)
Manufacturer
Mittelwerk GMBH
Dimensions
3-D (Aluminum Pallet Storage): 182.9 × 182.9 × 233.7cm, 445.9kg (6 ft. × 6 ft. × 7 ft. 8 in., 983lb.)
3-D (Metal Bar): 165.1 × 12.7 × 22.9cm, 20.9kg (5 ft. 5 in. × 5 in. × 9 in., 46lb.)
3-D (Turbopump, Steam Generator and Frame, V-2 Rocket Engine): 152.4 × 152.4 × 214cm, 355.2kg (5 × 5 × 7 ft. 1/4 in., 783lb.)
Materials
Aluminum, Steel, Rubber (Silicone), Asbestos, Glass, Brass, Synthetic Fabric, Copper, Paper, Adhesive
Phenolic Resin, Paint
Inventory Number
A19600013000
Credit Line
Transferred from the U.S. Air Force Museum
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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