I recently got this small rocket motor. It's about the size of a large coffee can. The base says PACS-1 Ejection Motor with a logo underneath that I believe is the Atlantic Research Corporation logo. My guess is that it's from the 60-70's based on the hand engraved serial numbers, coffee stained base, and light patina that had accumulated on the nozzle half of the motor. It did clean up pretty well though as seen in the above photo. It looks like a large central nozzle surrounded by the four smaller nozzles (two of which are canted 45 degrees and all the smaller ones are plugged). I'm guessing the the nozzle consisted of at least a couple of parts and that the convergent section and throat were recessed. Those sections are not included so the visible divergent section is only part of the nozzle included. The two halves unscrew and the gold anodized half is lined with rubber and has a variety of inspection stamps. There is also a central threaded "neck" were the igniter is likely intended to go. I'll post some more pictures when I get a chance.
6 comments:
Cool. Where did you find it?
Hi Dick,
I got it from my favorite used rocket motor/engine supplier...EBay. It's pretty cool and I suspect that there were not many made. I hope to post more detailed pics soon.
Randy
Thanks, cool find.
So what did it do? Pull out a parachute? Eject a pilot? :)
I think PACS-1 was a satellite (or maybe a program name) and this motor was intended to seperate the satellite from the lauch vehicle. I don't really know though...
Hi Randy,
RE your PCS-1. I work on a military base on Cape Cod. We found about 4 dozen similar looking rocket motors in our impact area. Did you ever find out any more information on the one you have? Ours are marked with Teledyne and Space Operations Systems logos. Interestingly, Atlantic Research has worked here in the past.
I google searched the serial numbers but didn't come up with anything.
Any information you have could be useful.
Thanks,
Ben
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