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Cryogenics and Fluids Branch
 
COBE Spacecraft Thumbnail. COBE Engineering Information
from the Cryogenics & Fluids Branch
Goddard Space Flight Center.

Hydrazine Propulsion Module

Wallace Cacho

Aft view of propulsion module

Aft view of propulsion module D

The first COBE Observatory was designed for launch on the Shuttle Orbiter. After launch, the COBE was to be released by the Orbiter at an altitude of 300 kilometers and raised to a circular 900 kilometer sun-synchronous orbit by an on-board hydrazine propulsion system. The spacecraft was designed to fill the diameter of the Orbiter cargo bay. The result was a large payload having a launch weight of 10,000 pounds. This included a 450 pound propulsion module containing 1900 pounds of liquid propellent. The module was the size of some of Goddard's earlier spacecraft and was the largest propulsion system ever constructed for an in-house program. The conceptual design, procurement package and proposal evaluation efforts were accomplished through the efforts of Wally Cacho and Al Yetman, both of Code 713. The Propulsion Module was designed, manufactured, tested and delivered to Goddard by the Hamilton Standard Division of United Technologies. The program was managed by Wally Cacho for Code 713. All program objectives were met, including cost and schedule.

Side view of propulsion module (without thermal blankets)

Side view of propulsion module (without thermal blankets) D
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Curator: Mark O. Kimball
NASA Official: Eric A. Silk
Last Updated: 09/11/2014