The Redstone engine is one of the most significant developments in US rocket technology. This collection consists of 36 pages of 17 x 11 inch schematic drawings of the Redstone launch vehicle's advanced electrical systems.
The Redstone engine is one of the most significant developments in US rocket technology. As the power plant for the Redstone missile, it was this country's first large-scale operational rocket engine. It went on to power the Jupiter-C, a modification of the Redstone missile that placed the US's first artificial satellite, Explorer 1, in 1958. In 1961, another modified Redstone, the Mercury-Redstone 3, launched the first American into space, Alan B. Shepard. The thrust of the engine as used in the Redstone missile was 78,000 lbs. As modified for use as a booster for Shepard's Mercury spacecraft, it produced 83,000 lbs of thrust.
Identifier
NASM.2008.0014
Creator
Redstone Arsenal
Date
1960
Provenance
Tom Hancock, Gift, 2008, NASM.2008.0014
Extent
0.07 Cubic feet (4 map folders)
Archival Repository
National Air and Space Museum Archives
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of 36 pages of 17 x 11 inch schematic drawings of the Redstone launch vehicle's advanced electrical systems. The drawings have been marked and corrected ("redlined"). The packet is stamped "Systems Test Section" on the first page.
Arrangement note
Collection is in original order.
Rights
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Restrictions
No restrictions on access.
Citation
Mercury Project, Redstone Launch Vehicle Advanced Electrical Schematic Drawings, NASM.2008.0014, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.