The Aerospace Museum of California is proud to announce the latest addition to the Museum, the Aerobee 350 rocket. The Aerobee 350 rocket was a large (53 ft) unguided suborbital sounding rocket used for high atmospheric and cosmic radiation research in the United States during the 1950s.
The Aerobee 350 was designed to carry instruments and collect data on the upper atmosphere. It was launched by a solid-propellant booster engine of 18,000 pounds thrust that burned for only two and a half seconds. The booster burned concurrently with a cluster of 4 liquid-fueled rocket engines of 6,000 pounds thrust each. The second stage was powered by a single liquid fuel rocket engine that would continue to accelerate the Aerobee 350 to a maximum speed of 4,300 mph, up to an altitude of 270 miles. Its loaded weight at liftoff was 8,463 pounds including a scientific payload of up to 500 pounds. The Aerobee 350 was first launched in 1964, with its final flight taking place in 1985.
Here are a few photos to whet your interest. Come on down to the museum to see this beauty in person!
Aerospace Museum of California team members Dan Whitney, Bill Drotar, Duane Ferguson, Dennis Strassburger and Barry Bauer move Aerobee 350 into position.
Bill Drotar and Museum Curator, Barry Bauer, attach fins prior to hanging the rocket from the ceiling in the Museum.
The Aerobee 350, supported by the forklift is attached to lifting rig.
Dan Whitney and Dennis Strassburger secure the Aerobee in its final position.
The Aerobee 350 sounding rocket on loan from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum to the Aerospace Museum of California. This rocket has returned to its birthplace having been built at nearby Aerojet.
Photo's courtesy of markeloper aviation photography, Mark E. Loper