Thiokol XLR99-RM-1 Pioneer Rocket Motor

Object Details

Manufacturer

Thiokol

Physical Description

60,000lb thrust; has a single thrust chamber, injector, gas generator, two-stage ignitor, turbo-pump, and variable governor control, and lime green thrust mounts; used liquid propellant; thrust chamber has been fired; missing fuel pump.

Summary

The XLR-99 Pioneer rocket motor, manufactured by the Reaction Motors Division of the Thiokol Chemical Corporation, was the most powerful rocket engine ever installed on a piloted aircraft and was the most powerful man-rated (directly throttleable) rocket engine. This engine powered the fastest, highest flying aircraft ever built, the North American X-15. More than just a record setter, the X-15 performed scientific research which provided invaluable data toward the design of the Space Shuttle and advanced hypersonic flight.

Rated at 50,000 lb thrust, the engine had a single thrust chamber, fuel injector, gas generator, two-stage ignitor, turbopump, and variable controls. The fuels were anhydrous ammonia and liquid oxygen. This engine, Serial Number 108, powered a number of notable X-15 missions. For example, it was used on: NASA's first XLR99 mission (Flight No. 34); William Knight's (Flight No. 151), for which he became known as the "fastest man on earth" and; an "Astronaut Wings Flight" (Flight No. 153), a flight over 200,000 feet in which Joseph Engle earned his astronaut wings (even though the astronaut's vehicle was an aircraft).

Credit Line

Transferred from the U.S. Air Force Museum, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. No known restrictions.

1959

Inventory Number

A19930368000

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

PROPULSION-Rocket Engines

Materials

Aluminum, Asbestos, Steel, Stainless steel, Nylon, Paint, Teflon, Plastic, Rubber (Silicone)

Dimensions

Overall (On stand): 588.8kg (1298lb.)

Overall: 40 1/4in., 910lb. (102.2cm, 412.8kg)

Other: 40 1/4 x 87 x 56 x 95 x 48in. (102.2 x 221 x 142.2 x 241.3 x 121.9cm)

Country of Origin

United States of America

See more items in

National Air and Space Museum Collection

Location

National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC

Exhibition

Nation of Speed

National Air and Space Museum

Record ID

nasm_A19930368000

Metadata Usage (text)

Not determined

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv94e1aa40b-4a9e-4f2c-8a7f-e751ca4ab3f1