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 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 the Viking 12, the last of a series of U.S. large-scale, liquid-propellant sounding rockets designed specifically to replace the diminishing numbers of captured V-2 rockets used for upper-atmospheric research after World War II. Viking's 20,000-pound thrust, XLR-10 liquid-propellant rocket engine was developed by Reaction Motors, Incorported. The rocket first flew in 1949.

Viking rockets differed in their configurations and payload capabilities. Viking No. 12, launched from White Sands Proving Grounds, New Mexico in 1955, reached a height of 144 miles. The Viking 12 shown here was reconstructed from parts recovered from the original rocket. The reconstructed Viking 12 was donated in 1976 to the Smithsonian by the Martin Marietta Corp.

 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 1955 Country of Origin United States of America Type CRAFT-Missiles & Rockets Manufacturer Martin Marietta Corp.
 Dimensions Overall: 42 ft. 15/16 in. tall x 3 ft. 9 in. diameter x 12 ft. wing span, 2022 lb. (1282.54 x 114.3 x 365.76cm, 917.2kg)
 Materials Aluminum body and other metals
 Alternate Name Viking Sounding Rocket Inventory Number A19760843000 Credit Line Martin Marietta Corp. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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