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 rocket engine for the Ranger Mid-Course Propulsion System of the Ranger spacecraft. The function of the engine was to make mid-course corrections for the spacecraft while it was enroute to the Moon. This amounted to turning the spacecraft so that it was correctly aimed at the Moon. Another propulsion system was used to make fine attitude adjustments. The Mid-Course engine used the monopropellant of hydrazine and produced 224 Newtons (50 lbs) of thrust. The Ranger spacecraft was the U.S.'s first series designed to take close-up images of the Moon just prior to their impact upon the lunar surface. Nine of the spacecraft were sent to the Moon during 1961 to 1965. The engine was transferred to the Smithsonian from the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1996.

 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 Dimensions 3-D (Overall): 40.6 × 59.7 × 41.9cm, 19.5kg (1 ft. 4 in. × 1 ft. 11 1/2 in. × 1 ft. 4 1/2 in., 43lb.)
 Materials Magnesium
Protective Coating
Non-Magnetic White Metal
Copper Alloy
Plastic
Electrical Wiring
Adhesive Tape
Ink
Synthetic Fiber Fabric
Stainless Steel
 Inventory Number A19960004000 Credit Line Transferred from NASA, Jet Propulsion Lab, Pasadena, Calif. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.