Nine-Ply Curved Spruce Rib, Nose Fairing, Poseidon C-3

National Air and Space Museum

Object Details

Manufacturer
Lockheed Missiles and Space Co.
Summary
This is a piece of one section of the nose fairing for the U.S. Navy's Poseidon C-3 submarine-launched ballistic missile, deployed from 1971 into the early 1990s. It is made of nine plies of Sitka spruce wood bonded together. During the missile's launch, the nose fairing and nose cap protected the reentry vehicle and its nuclear warheads housed inside from air friction temperatures approaching 1000 degrees. Explosive devices blew the nose fairing and nose cap off shortly after the missile entered space. Lockheed Missiles & Space Company made and donated this object to NASM.
Credit Line
Gift of Lockheed Missiles & Space Company
Inventory Number
A19731668006
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
CRAFT-Missile & Rocket Parts
Materials
Wood, aluminum, and cork
Dimensions
Overall: 2ft 1 1/4in. x 6in. x 5 1/4in. (64.14 x 15.24 x 13.34cm)
Country of Origin
United States of America
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National Air and Space Museum Collection
National Air and Space Museum
Record ID
nasm_A19731668006
Metadata Usage (text)
Not determined
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9b37bee63-21d9-416f-a069-cf882ad28855
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