Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

This is a cutaway of a two-chambered liquid-fuel rocket engine for the U.S. Navy's Lark surface-to-air missile. The larger chamber produced 400 pounds of thrust. The smaller chamber produced 220 pounds for a combined thrust of 620 pounds. The Lark motor was among the earliest regeneratively-cooled types in the U.S. and was developed by Reaction Motors, Inc.

The Lark had a range of 38 miles. It was designed in late 1944 as a defense against Japanese Kamikaze attacks in the Pacific Theatre but its development was slow. The Lark did not become operational but served as an important post-war test vehicle and saw service up to 1953. This object was donated to the Smithsonian by the Reaction Motors Division of the Thiokol Chemical Corporation in 1985.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Rocket Engines Manufacturer Reaction Motors, Inc.
 Dimensions 3-D (Bolted to Stand): 46.7 × 21.6 × 34.3cm (1 ft. 6 3/8 in. × 8 1/2 in. × 1 ft. 1 1/2 in.)
 Materials Non-Magnetic White MetaL (Stainless Steel)
Ferrous Alloy
 Inventory Number A19850118000 Credit Line Gift of Thiokol Chemical Corporation, Reaction Motors Division Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.