DSC-RX100M2
ƒ/4
10.4 mm
1/125
160

I had not connected the dots that the one I just saw above at LASP is related to the one I have in the Space Museum at work (details below). From the source: “This nosecone was part of the Aerobee fleet that was used at the University of Colorado. They flew 94 missions (from 1948 through the 70’s) out of White Sands Missile Range to study the Earth’s upper atmosphere. Aerobees were also the first rockets to launch mice and monkeys into space. An exact duplicate of this nose cone is displayed in the atrium of the LASP lab in Boulder, CO. The National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. also has one on display in the Space Race Hall. The nose cone is 88″ tall with a 15″ diameter at the widest point tapering to the tip. It is manufactured primarily of spun aluminum with a titanium tip and a narrow brass band at the base where it was attached by screws to the payload compartment. It weighs just over 21 pounds. The nose cones and payloads were recovered after launches by chase helicopters and reused in future launches.”

So now I wonder if the nosecone in Colorado (above) is a replica?

5 responses to “Aerobee 150 rocket and the nose cone I have at work”

  1. jurvetson Avatar
    jurvetson

    Rusty Schweickart of Apollo 9 explains it all to my buddy Erik Charlton (full size)DSC05767 And the rear end, with booster stage in white: DSC05765
    And the Aerobee 150 nose cone in our DFJ office alcove:
    DSC05870 and the base: DSC05864DSC05871full size… with the docking apparatus from the Mir space station (identical to the manual backup currently flying on the ISS), an Atlas fuel turbo pump on the far left (insanely heavy) and an X-15 engine in the back left, serving as a glass table stand. =)

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  2. bike-R Avatar
    bike-R

    CRIPES!!!!!!!! Expected to see the APOLLO TELESCOPE MOUNT there sans solar panels in your foyer instead of a rocket :)) ……………no room? And the 150 nosecone lookslike a static display model used for mockups and such like they did with other capsules…………… too clean.

    Reply
  3. jurvetson Avatar
    jurvetson

    I have the AOT eyepiece from the Apollo 13 and 16 missions if that’s what you mean. And no, it’s not that… the nosecone is not that clean if you turn it around: $_57

    Reply
  4. bike-R Avatar
    bike-R

    Yup, looks kinda scruffy and is there any serial numbers on the cone? And the ATM i mentioned is the big round rectangular object on the front of SKYLAB that had the windmill type solar panels and was used for sun observations, also bailed out the missions when the one panel was ripped off and they used the electricity from it to keep SKYLAB ALIVE .Impressive piece if any exist outside of museums today

    Reply
  5. jurvetson Avatar
    jurvetson

    and I now also have an Aerobee 150 fin can and
    sustainer engineAerojet Aerobee 150 Rocket Sustainer Engine

    Reply

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