Rocket Motor, Solid Fuel, Mockup, BE-3-B
Social Media Share Tools
Object Details
- Manufacturer
- Hercules, Inc. Explosives and Chemical Propulsion Division
- Summary
- This is a full-scale mockup of an extended BE-3-B solid propellant rocket motor of the type used to inject the Advanced Vela Nuclear Detection Satellites into orbit. Hercules, Inc. developed the motor in 1960, originally as a retro rocket for the Ranger family of lunar probes. It was also used as the fourth stage of the Athena sounding rocket and as the fourth stage of the Sparta missile. The BE-3-B produced 7,700 pounds of thrust for 7.9 seconds and used a double-base propellant. Hercules donated the motor to the Smithsonian in 1968.
- Credit Line
- Gift of Hercules, Inc. Explosives and Chemical Propulsion
- Inventory Number
- A19680262000
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- PROPULSION-Rocket Engines
- Materials
- Fiber motor and plastic nozzle
- Dimensions
- Overall: 88.9 x 45.72 x 28.58cm (2ft 11in. x 1ft 6in. x 11 1/4in.)
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- See more items in
- National Air and Space Museum Collection
- Location
- Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
- Exhibit Station
- Rockets & Missiles
- National Air and Space Museum
- Record ID
- nasm_A19680262000
- Metadata Usage (text)
- Not determined
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv967a9900e-8030-4541-89bd-794b812adfee
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.