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Atlas Booster Engine

Display location: History Center

Type: Booster engine for Atlas missile
Agency: U.S. Air Force
Contractor: Rocketdyne Corporation
Launch Complexes: 11, 12, 13, 14, 36

Related exhibits:

• Atlas F and Transporter
• Atlas Vernier Engine
• Atlas Radio Guidance System
• Burroughs Mod I Guidance Computer

The booster engine, LR 105-NA-3, was manufactured by Rocketdyne and was one of the three engines to propel the Atlas missile at launch. The thrust of the booster was 54,000 pounds with a burn time of 290 seconds. The engine used RP-1 as fuel and liquid oxygen as oxidizer. It was used on all Atlas models and was upgraded for the Atlas E/F and space boosters.

This engine came from Brevard Community College. It was restored and moved into the History Center by hand (left) using plywood planking to prevent damage to the floor tiles.