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Pylon, Missile, ASAT

National Air and Space Museum

Object Details

Manufacturer
Boeing Aircraft
Summary
This pylon was used to carry a U.S. ASAT (anti-satellite) missile below its launch aircraft. The ASAT missile was developed by the U.S. Air Force in the early 1980s as the prototype of a vehicle meant to shoot down orbiting satellites. Launched by a high-flying aircraft, the ASAT was designed to home in and destroy enemy spacecraft by kinetic energy--a concept known as "hit-to-kill." A total of five ASATs were flight tested, including one launched from an F-15 fighter that intercepted and destroyed an obsolete U.S. satellite on September 13, 1985. The program was cancelled later that year.
Boeing made this pylon and the U.S. Air Force donated it to the Museum in 1990.
Credit Line
Transferred from the United States Air Force
Inventory Number
A19900065000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
ARMAMENT-Miscellaneous
Materials
Stainless Steel, Plastic, Paint, Steel, Epoxy, Nylon, Synthetic Fabric, Rubber (Silicone), Cadmium Plating, , Adhesive, Aluminum, Foam, Stainless Fabric
Dimensions
Other: 4ft 2in. x 18ft 2in. (127 x 553.7cm)
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_A19900065000
Metadata Usage (text)
Not determined
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv988218d5b-c066-4431-bd76-295eecc73e8e

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There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
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IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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