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Able
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Gross Mass: 2,268 kg (5,000 lb). Empty Mass: 816 kg (1,798 lb). Thrust (vac): 34.300 kN (7,711 lbf). Isp: 270 sec. Burn time: 115 sec. Propellants: Nitric acid/UDMH. Isp(sl): 240 sec. Diameter: 0.84 m (2.75 ft). Span: 0.84 m (2.75 ft). Length: 6.57 m (21.55 ft). Country: USA. No Engines: 1. Engine: AJ10-101. Cost $ : 4.000 million. First Flight: 1958. Last Flight: 1960. No Launched: 21. No Failed: 1. Used as: Atlas Able, Thor Able. The minor modification of the Vanguard aluminum tube thrust chamber to meet the Able requirements was accomplished in the record time of only three months. The major effort during this time was the testing of six aluminum tube thrust chambers for durations longer than the full burn time. This was done to develop confidence that the expected burn-through failure in the throat would occur at least 30% beyond the nominal duration, that it would be repeatable, and that the total impulse would be within specification limits. This was accomplished, and it provided the first opportunity for Aerojet's aluminum tube bundle engine to perform successfully in space.
Used on Launch Vehicles:
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© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2007 except where otherwise noted.
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