Aerojet Nitric acid/UDMH rocket engine. 34.690 kN. Isp=270s.
Minor modification of the Vanguard aluminum tube thrust chamber
to meet the Able requirements. accomplished in the record time
of only three months. 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. Engine for Vanguard was AJ10-37; for later Able models
AJ10-41 and AJ10-42. Total of 21 stages built and delivered by
Aerojet. Thrust: 34.69 kN (7,799