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dsc97170.jpg

Overall walk-around of a carbon jet vane and mounting plate.

Picture 2 of 6.

The jet vanes (which extended into the engine exhaust, but which appear to have been trimmed for display purposes, presumably due to the support post), in conjunction with the air rudders, were used to control the missile's attitude. During the early portion of the missile's flight, it was controlled by the jet vanes. When the missile reached a velocity sufficient for it to become aerodynamically stable, the air rudders took over the control function.

The carbon vanes and air rudders were driven by the same actuator assembly and turned simultaneously.

 
Carbon jet vane on Mercury-Redstone Booster at U.S. Space and Rocket Center
Time picture taken Sat Sep 14 09:29:56 2013
Location picture taken Rocket Park
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Huntsville, AL
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