Pursuit of Power NASA’s Propulsion Systems Laboratory No. 1 and 2 By Robert S. Arrighi National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA History Program Office Public Outreach Division NASA Headquarters Washington, DC 20546 SP–2012–4548 2012 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Arrighi, Robert S., 1969- Pursuit of Power : NASA’s Propulsion Systems Laboratory, No. 1 & 2 / Robert S. Arrighi. p. cm. -- (NASA history series) (NASA SP ; 2012-4548) Includes bibliographical references and index. 1. Propulsion Systems Laboratory (U.S.)--History. 2. Wind tunnels. 3. Hypersonic wind tunnels. 4. Aerodynamics--Research--United States--History--20th century. 5. Propulsion systems--United States--History--20th century. 6. NASA Glenn Research Center. I. United States. NASA History Division. II. Title. III. Title: NASA’s Propulsion Systems Laboratory, No. 1 & 2. IV. Title: Propulsion Systems Laboratory, No. 1 & 2. TL568.P75A77 2012 629.1’1072--dc23 2011032380 • Table of Contents • Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ vii Condensed History of the PSL ......................................................................................................... ix Preserving the PSL Legacy ................................................................................................................. ix Endnotes for Introduction .................................................................................................................. xi Acknowledgments .....................................................................................................................................xiii Chapter 1: Legacy of Aircraft Engine Research ........................................................................................ 3 Flying High with Feet on the Ground ............................................................................................... 3 A Call for Nationalization ................................................................................................................... 4 Low-Pressure System ........................................................................................................................... 5 Producing Results ................................................................................................................................. 6 Barometer of the Future ...................................................................................................................... 6 Engine Studies in Cleveland ................................................................................................................ 7 Pulling Ahead........................................................................................................................................ 9 Endnotes for Chapter 1 .....................................................................................................................11 Chapter 2: The Next Big Thing ................................................................................................................13 NACA’s Panel of Experts ..................................................................................................................14 Congressional Authorization ............................................................................................................15 The Designers .....................................................................................................................................16 Eugene Wasielewski ...........................................................................................................................17 Propulsion Systems Laboratory Rising ................................................................................................19 Executing the Plans ............................................................................................................................28 Assembling the Crew .........................................................................................................................28 Endnotes for Chapter 2 .....................................................................................................................30 Chapter 3: Harnessing PSL’s Muscle .......................................................................................................33 Making Research a Reality ................................................................................................................34 Conducting a Test at the Propulsion Systems Laboratory ...................................................................37 Endnotes for Chapter 3 .....................................................................................................................51 Chapter 4: Cold War Weapons .................................................................................................................53 The Nuclear Navaho ..........................................................................................................................54 Navaho’s 48-Inch-Diameter Powerplants ........................................................................................54 Bob Walker ..........................................................................................................................................56 Getting the Damn Engine to Ignite ..................................................................................................57 Taking Advantage of the Opportunity .............................................................................................61 Self-Immolation ..................................................................................................................................63 Coda .....................................................................................................................................................63 Defense Missiles .................................................................................................................................64 Howard Wine .....................................................................................................................................66 Testing the Turbojets .........................................................................................................................67 iii Pursuit of Power General Electric 1950s Successes .....................................................................................................67 Ill-Fated Avro Project .........................................................................................................................68 Endnotes for Chapter 4 .....................................................................................................................70 Chapter 5: The Rocket Era ........................................................................................................................75 Cleveland Rockets ..............................................................................................................................75 Transformation ...................................................................................................................................76 Hypersonic Heating ...........................................................................................................................77 John Kobak ..........................................................................................................................................80 Neal Wingenfeld .................................................................................................................................81 Homemade Rockets ...........................................................................................................................82 Star of the Rocket Engine Era ..........................................................................................................85 The RL-10 Gets Worked Over .........................................................................................................87 Sitting on Top of All That Hydrogen ..............................................................................................88 Rocket Division Arrives .....................................................................................................................91 Primitive Propulsion ..........................................................................................................................91 End of an Era ......................................................................................................................................94 Endnotes for Chapter 5 .....................................................................................................................95 Chapter 6: Jet Engines Roar Back .............................................................................................................99 Airbreathing Research Personnel ...................................................................................................100 Supersonic Calibration ....................................................................................................................103 Artificial Distortion ..........................................................................................................................105 Treatments ........................................................................................................................................106