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Walk-around of the engine's hypergol container (sometimes called hypergol manifold).

Picture 4 of 4.

A cartridge containing triethylaluminum (TEA), a clear, colorless liquid used by the engine's hypergolic ignition system, was installed in the hypergol container. TEA, sometimes called igniter fuel, is pyrophoric, igniting spontaneously in the presence of any source of oxygen, and reacting violently with water, alcohol, acetone.

As the turbopumps came up to speed and fuel pressure rose, fuel from a line connecting to the hypergol container would rupture a burst disc in the hypergol cartridge, releasing the TEA, which was then routed to the engine's injector. There it mixed with aerosolized LOX in the combustion chamber and ignited. RP-1 immediately followed the igniter fuel, establishing combustion.