Suggested Searches

Rocket Engine Test Facility Image Gallery

Image Gallery for the Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF) website: www.nasa.gov/rocket-engine-test-facility/. The RETF conducted experimental tests of high-energy propellants and rocket engine components that were integral to the U.S. Space Program from 1957 to 1995. The RETF was designated a National Historic Landmark for its contributions to the Apollo Program.

RETF structure and components.
Cutaway drawing of the RETF facility.
The RETF test stand going through its final check-out runs (9/6/1957).
Mechanic working on RETF test stand.
Rocket propulsion research exhibit in the Rocket Operation Building (1965).
Researcher with engine exhibit.
Main control board in the Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF) control room (1976).
Two operators in control room
Southwest view of the Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF) as construction was being completed (7/31/1957).
Exterior view of RETF
Robert Goddard with an experimental rocket at his research laboratory in New Mexico.
Robert Goddard with rocket on a horizontal stand.
American Rocket Society members prepare to launch an experimental rocket in 1932.
Two men holding small rocket.
Mechanics work on a piston engine in the hangar at the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory (2/26/1943).
Three Mechanics work on a piston engine in the hangar
This V-2 booster and WAC Corporal upper stage rocket was the first launch from Cape Canaveral (7/24/1950).
Rocket launch with camera men in the foreground.
NACA Director of Aeronautical Research George Lewis addresses the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory staff on November 11, 1944.
George Lewis at the podium
Construction of the NACA's Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory (9/15/1942).
View from hangar of AERL buildings under construction.
Orville Wright and NACA officials tour the new Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory on May 20, 1943.
Men view equipment in test cell.
Test of a JATO rocket in a Rocket Lab test cell in June 1945.
Man prepares rocket engine in test cell.
Static firing of a nitric acid aniline rocket at the Rocket Lab in 1946.
Rocket firing horizontally out of test cell.
The NACA's Rocket Lab at the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory (1949).
Drawing with call-outs of the Rocket Lab facility.
Technicians prepare to test a rocket engine in the Rocket Lab (1/10/1952).
Two technicians working on a small rocket engine.
A small hydrogen liquefier at the Rocket Lab (3/23/1954).
Man with liquefier equipment
A scrubber was added to the Rocket Lab to remove contaminants from the rocket exhaust (5/19/1955).
Vertical tank outside Rocket Lab
Lewis rocket research exhibit featuring the Rocket Lab (3/29/1957).
Lewis rocket research exhibit featuring the Rocket Lab
The future site for the Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF) was in the woods at the lower right, far away...
Workers clear area in preparation for construction of the Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF)(8/26/1955).
Bulldozer knocks down trees in wooded area.
Construction of Building 202 at the Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF) in 1955.
RETF construction site with supplies on ground.
The original design for the Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF) was larger in size before funding or a location had...
Drawing of original RETF layout.
The final design of the Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF) facility (1964).
Drawing of the final RETF layout.
Robert Graham and Eleanor Kostilow explain the Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF) to a visiting student on May 23, 1957.
Three people examining model of the RETF.
Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF) construction progress in 1956.
Exterior view of the Rocket Engine Test Facility during construction.
The Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF) in the final stages of construction (4/26/1957).
RETF Construction
The Rocket Engine Test Facility in the evening on September 12, 1957.
Exterior view of the Rocket Engine Test Facility in the evening.
Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF) stop at the NACA's 1957 Inspection held just days after the launch of Sputnik (10/8/1957).
Man seated at control panel at RETF display.
Wernher von Braun with ABMA Commanding General John Medaris at the Redstone Arsenal in 1960.
von Braun and Medaris standing in front of launch pad.
The Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF) complex as it appeared in April 1957.
Aerial view of RETF
Bill Tomaczic at the NACA Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory (1955).
Man standing outside building.
View of the Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF) scrubber from the test cell (8/12/1957).
Man looking at scrubber
Test operators run a test in the Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF) from the remote control room (5/16/1957).
Two operators in control room.
Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF) staff remotely conduct a test from the Rocket Operations Building in 1957.
Man watches from outside two test operators in control room
A test engineer monitors chart recorders in the Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF) control room (10/18/1957).
Engineer kneeling and reading charts
Preparation of Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF) for its initial test runs (9/6/1957).
Mechanic working on RETF test stand.
20,000-pound thrust engine instrumented for testing in the Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF) (7/8/1960).
Rocket engine with instrumentation
A 20,000-pound thrust regeneratively cooled engine (7/3/1958).
Rocket engine photograph.
Liquid hydrogen storage tanks adjacent to Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF) test cell (1978).
Liquid hydrogen storage tanks adjacent to RETF test cell (1978).