Manufacturer:

NASA, Lewis Research Center  Search this

Materials:

White metal (visually characteristic of stainless steel), iron alloy, copper alloy, glass, high-fired ceramic

Dimensions:

Overall (Bottom Piece): 7.9 × 12.1cm (3 1/8 × 4 3/4 in.)

Overall (Top Piece): 13.7 × 7.6cm (5 3/8 × 3 in.)

Overall (As if assembled): 21.6 × 12.1cm (8 1/2 × 4 3/4 in.)

Type:

PROPULSION-Miscellaneous

Country of Origin:

United States of America

Summary:

This is a scale model of a SERT (Space Electric Rocket Test) 2 cesium ion rocket engine. Developed in the mid-1960s for use as attitude control thrusters on spacecraft, engines like this one produced minute streams of ions generating extremely low levels of thrust. Unlike conventional chemical propulsion systems, ion engines could be fired for extremely long durations.

This model represents the type of engine test fired on February 3, 1970 aboard a Thor-Agena D launch vehicle. Unlike SERT I, which was battery powered, SERT 2 used solar cells. On this maiden flight into earth orbit, two SERT 2 thrusters operated continuously for 3,782 hours (more than five months) and 2,011 hours (nearly three months) respectively. Electrical malfunctions prevented both engines from firiing for their planned durations of six months.

Work on ion propulsion systems of this type continued at NASA into the mid-1970s.

Credit Line:

Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Inventory Number:

A19760724000

Restrictions & Rights:

Usage conditions apply

See more items in:

National Air and Space Museum Collection

Data Source:

National Air and Space Museum

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv91bdc4a33-0902-4c09-88e0-b763857d0f61

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:nasm_A19760724000