Research on High-Energy Rocket Propellants (NACA Report)

Although NACA started late in rocket research, kept its effort relatively small, and was but one of many organizations investigating high-energy propellants, its technology contributions were significant to later vehicle developments. NACA was the only government laboratory conducting in-house experiments on high-energy propellants, and NACA data were quickly available to and influenced the work of all other groups. The strong NACA-Lewis preference for liquid hydrogen, which began in 1950 and persisted in spite of delays in securing a supply, was instrumental in keeping others interested in hydrogen. Abe Silverstein, the Lewis associate director, strongly supported liquid hydrogen, and he later occupied a key position in the nation's space program. The NACA rocket subcommittee, a unique body of rocket experts from government, industry, and universities, exchanged information between all interested parties. This report details the extensive testing and experiments made in the years before NASA emerged.