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Able

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Status: Retired 1960. Thrust: 34.69 kN (7,799 lbf). Gross mass: 1,884 kg (4,153 lb). Unfuelled mass: 429 kg (945 lb). Specific impulse: 270 s. Burn time: 115 s. Height: 5.67 m (18.60 ft). Diameter: 0.81 m (2.65 ft). Span: 0.84 m (2.75 ft).

The minor modification of the Vanguard aluminum tube thrust chamber to meet the Able requirements was accomplished in the record time of only three months. The major effort during this time was the testing of six aluminum tube thrust chambers for durations longer than the full burn time. This was done to develop confidence that the expected burn-through failure in the throat would occur at least 30% beyond the nominal duration, that it would be repeatable, and that the total impulse would be within specification limits. This was accomplished, and it provided the first opportunity for Aerojet's aluminum tube bundle engine to perform successfully in space.