Apollo Saturn V J-2 Engine Propellant Feed Line from 1964

The Rocketdyne J-2 engine was an upper stage rocket engine that burned cryogenic liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX) propellants.

Five J-2 engines were used on the Saturn V’s S-II second stage, and one J-2 was used on the S-IVB upper stage used on both the Saturn IB and Saturn V.

Rocketdyne began developing the J-2 in 1960 with an analytical computer simulation, production began in 1963, and the first flight was a success — AS-201 in 1966.

18″ tall and 8″ in diameter, featuring an interesting design with two bellows sections that allowed it to flex with vibrations. Each side is capped with a red cover embossed with the Rocketdyne logo, and Rocketdyne labels are affixed to a red ring that wraps around the bottom, reading: “Do Not Destroy.” The main tube is marked on the side with part numbers: “DNKA 216-8760 (E), NA5-26848-1B, Proof Press. 1500 PSI, Mfg. 1/64, S/N 58 of Lot III.”