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This is one of the first successfully flown JATO (Jet-Assisted-Take-Off) rockets in the U.S. It was used on an Ercoupe light aircraft in tests in 1941 at March Field, California. JATOs shortened distances for takeoffs of planes. The motor was designed and made under the GALCIT Rocket Research Project (Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory, California Institute of Technology).

The solid propellant JATO produced 28 pounds of thrust for about 12 seconds. Six units were used in each test of the 750 pound plane. The Ercoupe tests led in 1942 to a U.S. Navy contract with GALCIT and the formation of the Aerojet Engineering Company. The Aerojet General Corporation donated this JATO to the Smithsonian in 1968.

 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 1941 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Rocket Engines Manufacturer GALCIT Rocket Research Project (Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory, California Institute of Technology)
 Dimensions 3-D (note): 41.9 × 9.5 × 14.6cm, 4.8kg (1 ft. 4 1/2 in. × 3 3/4 in. × 5 3/4 in., 10.5lb.)
Storage (Wooden Crate): 105.4 × 125.7 × 157.5cm, 177.8kg (3 ft. 5 1/2 in. × 4 ft. 1 1/2 in. × 5 ft. 2 in., 392lb.)
 Materials Steel
Ceramic
Cadmium Plating
Paint
 Inventory Number A19680556000 Credit Line Aerojet General Corp. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.