Description:

THIOKOL ROCKET ENGINE TEST MODEL
Functional scale model of a rocket engine booster, 14 1/2" long x 4 1/2" dia., manufactured by the Thiokol Chemical Corporation of Elkton, MD. The body of the booster is of a strengthened metal alloy, with a composite nozzle at one end. It bears an aluminum information label bearing the name of the company, designating the device as: "Solid Prop''t Rocket Motor Assy.", with the manufacturing date "4Q[uarter] 1967", and the serial number "2630-B30-503 S/N 20". The warning "In House Use Only" is stamped on the side of the casing in black ink. Also present is a second device of unknown function, 9 1/2" x 10", with a cylindrical brass case bearing the handwritten serial "S/N 234" in black ink. The device also bears the inscription: "Jim - Thanks for lots of good testing. Best wishes on your retirement, Bryan Cockshult 12/15/66" in blue ink, with the additional inscription "Nice Job!" below, with an indistinct signature. Both pieces were acquired from a former Thiokol employee who still lives in the Elkton area. Both are in very good condition. Thiokol has an extensive history with rocketry in the space program; they produced the TX-18 Falcon missile - the first solid-fuel missile system- and in 1974 were awarded a contract to build solid rocket boosters (SRB) for NASA Space Shuttle program. They were held responsible for the 1986 destruction of the Space Shuttle "Challenger", which was caused by a faulty O-ring on a Thiokol-supplied SRB. In more recent years, they won the NASA contract to produce the ARES I launch vehicle, and provided components for the Mars Pathfinder probe.

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May 10, 2017 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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