Bell 8048
Agena A Stage
Credit - © Mark Wade
Government Designation: LR81-B-1. Designer: Bell. Propellants: Nitric acid/UDMH. Thrust(vac): 68.900 kN (15,489 lbf). Isp: 276 sec. Burn time: 120 sec. Mass Engine: 127 kg (279 lb). Diameter: 1.52 m (4.98 ft). Length: 2.16 m (7.08 ft). Chambers: 1. Chamber Pressure: 10.00 bar. Area Ratio: 20.00. Thrust to Weight Ratio: 55.36. Country: USA. Status: Out of production. First Flight: 1959. Last Flight: 1961. Flown: 20.

Harry Meyers made a major contribution to the development of Bell's Rascal and Agena engines. Although both of these engines were made of aluminum, the Agena started with a thick walled cylinder, and used a series of adjacent 3/16 inch drilled holes to create the same effect as stacked spaghetti rubes. These thrust chambers were coated, and worked well in the Agena engine.

Bell 8048 used on Rocket Stages

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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