Ignition Excitor, Rocket Engine, Liquid Fuel
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Object Details
- Manufacturer
- Rocketdyne, Division of North American Aviation Co.
- Summary
- This is an ignition exciter for the J-2 liquid fuel rocket engine. An ignition exciter is a device that generates a high-energy pulse to an igniter (similar to an automobile coil). The exciter shown here is from early J-2 hardware and dates to 1961. The J-2 engine system was the first to use this type ignition system at Rocketdyne. An engine restart was required on the J-2 while in Earth orbit mode to send the Apollo spacecraft on its way to the Moon. On previous engine systems, pyrotechnic igniters were used as one one-start igniters were required.
- The J-2 engine, using liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, was the powerplant for the second and third stages of the Saturn V launch vehicle which took astronauts to the Moon in the Apollo program. The Saturn V's second stage had a cluster of five J-2s, while the third stage had a single J-2. This exciter was recovered from Rocketdyne's VTS-1 (Vertical Test Stand-1) area, before the stand was torn down in 1996.
- The Rocketdyne Division of Rockwell International donated this artifact to the Museum in 2001.
- Credit Line
- Gift of Rockwell International Corporation, Rocketdyne Division.
- 1961
- Inventory Number
- A20040127000
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- PROPULSION-Components (Engine Parts)
- Materials
- Overall, black portion of cylinder, non-ferrous metal, possibly aluminum; six-sided nut on top, steel; eye hooks, steel; electrical wire insulated with white plastic insulation
- Aluminum
- Steel
- Paint
- Ceramic
- Rubber
- Plastic
- Lead Solder
- Copper
- Adhesive
- Dimensions
- Overall: 26.04 x 7.62cm, 0.9kg (10 1/4in. x 3in., 2lb.)
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- See more items in
- National Air and Space Museum Collection
- National Air and Space Museum
- Record ID
- nasm_A20040127000
- Metadata Usage (text)
- Not determined
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9cb516f8d-8882-44c6-a302-03dda63bc004
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