The sign accompanying the engine. It reads
U.S. Army Redstone Rocket Engine
This engine powered the Redstone
rocket. It was actually modified from an earlier engine developed by North
American Aviation for the Navaho cruise missile. This liquid-propellant
engine utilized a turbopump. The turbine was driven by hot gases generated
from hydrogen peroxide, which was stored in the red tank above the engine. The
gases were then exhausted through the duct on the side. Total burn time was
121 seconds (about 2 minutes). Note also, that several metal joints are shaped
to resemble an accordion or "bellows" shape. These served to reduce strain
during operation.
Thrust: |
75,000 lbs (334,000N), missile version (Redstone)
78,000 lbs (347,000N), manned version (Mercury-Redstone)
83,000 lbs (369,000N), satellite version (Jupiter-C)
|
Propellant: |
liquid oxygen and ethyl alcohol, missile version (Redstone)
liquid oxygen and ethyl alcohol, missile version (Mercury-Redstone)
liquid oxygen and hydyne, satellite version (Jupiter-C)
|
Contractors: Rocketdyne Div., North American Aviation, Inc.
|