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 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

The J-2 liquid propellant rocket engine, using liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, was the powerplant for the second and third stages of the Saturn V launch vehicle that took astronauts to the Moon in the Apollo program. The engine shown here was an early developmental model and produced 200,000 pounds of vacuum thrust. It made three tests for a total duration firing time of 291 seconds.

The Saturn V's second stage used a cluster of five J-2s, while the third stage had one J-2 that was gimballed, or steerable, so that this stage could be steered on its way to the Moon. The J-2 was developed and built by the Rocketddyne Division of the Rockwell International Corporation. NASA transferred this J-2 engine to the Smithsonian in 1970.

 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
Date 1964 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Rocket Engines Manufacturer Rocketdyne Division, Rockwell International
 Dimensions Overall: 11 ft. × 6 ft. 8 3/8 in., 5740lb. (335.3 × 204.2cm, 2603.6kg)
3-D (Dimensions on stand): 365.8 × 205.7 × 243.8cm (12 ft. × 6 ft. 9 in. × 8 ft.)
 Materials Stainless steel and other metals.
 Inventory Number A19700261000 Credit Line Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.