Rocket Engine, Liquid Fuel, Orbital Attitude Maneuvering System (OAMS), Gemini
Social Media Share Tools
Object Details
- Manufacturer
- Rocketdyne, Division of North American Aviation Co.
- Summary
- This is a 100-pound thrust Gemini Orbital Attitude Maneuvering System (OAMS) thruster. OAMS thrusters: (1) provided thrust for the Gemini spacecraft to rendezvous with the Agena target vehicle; (2) controlled the spacecraft in orbit; (3) enabled separation of the Gemini from the second stage Titan launch vehicle and inserted it into orbit; and (4) provided abort capability. The OAMS consisted of 100-pound thrusters to maneuver the craft axially, vertically, and laterally; 85-pound motors for forward and rearward motions; and 25-pound motors to control the spacecraft in its pitch, yaw, and roll axes. The four 100-pound thrusters were located around the exterior middle of the crew cabin.
- Gemini OAMS motors used hypergolic (self-igniting) propellants which made the system simple and reliable and eliminated the need for an igniter. They performed satisfactorily in all Gemini missions up to the conclusion of the program in November 1966.
- The McDonnell Douglas Corporation gave this OAMS thruster to the Smithsonian Institution in 1969.
- Credit Line
- Gift of the McDonnell Douglas Corporation
- ca. 1963-1966
- Inventory Number
- A19690067000
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- PROPULSION-Rocket Engines
- Materials
- Overall, stainless steel; nozzle, phenolic
- Dimensions
- Overall: 7 1/2 in. wide x 18 in. long x 4 in. diameter, 8.5 lb. (19.05 x 45.72 x 10.16cm, 3.9kg)
- 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_A19690067000
- Metadata Usage (text)
- Not determined
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv99aaafa74-94e8-4ba5-82cd-9ed9d226bf1f
Related Content
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.