This is a titanium sphere from a U.S. Agena-D spacecraft that survived reentry into the Earth's atmosphere and impacted Australia in the early 1970s. The sphere was used to store gaseous helium on the spacecraft for propulsion. It is not known exactly what Agena-D the sphere came from or when it returned to Earth. Airteck Dynamic made the sphere and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory donated it to NASM in 1973.
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
SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed-Parts & Structural Components
Manufacturer
Airteck Dynamic Inc.
Dimensions
3-D (L x W x H) (Sphere): 54.6 × 61 × 55.9cm (1 ft. 9 1/2 in. × 2 ft. × 1 ft. 10 in.)
3-D (L x W x H) (Hexboard Storage): 81.3 × 81.3 × 74.9cm (2 ft. 8 in. × 2 ft. 8 in. × 2 ft. 5 1/2 in.)
Materials
Titanium
Paint
Inventory Number
A19730740000
Credit Line
Transferred from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.