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Author
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Topic: [GSA] Complete J2X engine (Sept 2022)
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Jurvetson
Member Posts: 147
From: Los Altos an SF, CA, United States
Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 09-12-2022 03:10 PM
   
GSA (General Services Administration) is offering a complete J-2X engine, 1 of 8.4 days left. It's quite large. Or, less well marked, the NASA Convoy Command Vehicle and a thread identifying it on Twitter. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 49194
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-12-2022 03:45 PM
Some assembly required. The engine is separated into all of its parts and I am just guessing here, but I would not count on an instruction book. 
At least the convoy truck is in one piece:  |
tothemoon
Member Posts: 90
From: California
Registered: May 2020
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posted 09-12-2022 11:19 PM
I badly want all the J-2X groups because I helped develop the engine, but alas, I likely won't be able to afford where the groups land  |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 5157
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-13-2022 06:34 AM
Not apparent this is actually a complete J-2X on offer (nor does GSA make such a claim; the additional documentation provided states components are inclusive of items and assemblages up through the combustion chamber); the nozzle expansion ratio (40:1) is substantially larger then the original J-2. Do not discern any crates within the images posted to the GSA listing with capacity to retain the 10 foot diameter nozzle. |
tothemoon
Member Posts: 90
From: California
Registered: May 2020
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posted 09-13-2022 10:12 AM
Agreed, it's unlikely to include any full nozzle extensions because we never made one haha (unfortunately, the Constellation Program was cancelled before we attempted any full vacuum tests that would have called for the full extension). |
GT76
Member Posts: 62
From: New Orleans, La. USA
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 09-13-2022 03:00 PM
Well, the purple box in the far left of the second photo is a Heat Exchanger Coil (HEX) as shown in this NASA blog. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 49194
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-15-2022 05:21 PM
The space shuttle convoy command vehicle sold for $21,061 after 19 bids. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 5157
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-16-2022 07:36 PM
$20,025 for the J2X group above, did not see what the others brought in. Good investment for SpaceX, Rocket Lab or one of the other domestic propulsion/launch vehicle manufactures who may want to leverage for engineering design and development work. |
tothemoon
Member Posts: 90
From: California
Registered: May 2020
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posted 09-16-2022 08:47 PM
Here's a summary. Way out of my price range, about $250K for all. Disappointed but hope it'll show up assembled at a museum!! - Group 7 components to assemble J2X rocket engine
$21,554
8 bids - Group 8 components to assemble J2X rocket engine
$25,004
8 bids - Group 3 components to assemble J2X rocket engine
$30,010
10 bids - Group 6 components to assemble J2X rocket engine
$10,004
7 bids - Group 5 components to assemble J2X rocket engine
$10,004
8 bids - Group 1 components to assemble J2X rocket engine
$20,025
14 bids - Group 4 components to assemble J2X rocket engine
$150,010
9 bids - Group 2 components to assemble J2X rocket engine
$8,909
7 bids
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Chuckster01
Member Posts: 1075
From: Orlando, FL
Registered: Jan 2014
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posted 09-17-2022 05:31 AM
Does anyone know if any other rocket engines have been sold in the recent past? We (the American Space Museum) offered an S-3 rocket engine in a previous auction with no bids (starting bid was $50,000).Seeing this sell for about $250,000 and knowing it may not be complete and with some assembly required makes me wonder about other engines that may have been sold. It would seem to be a desirable item for display? Any information would be greatly appreciated. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 5157
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-17-2022 06:58 AM
Possibly apples to oranges comparison. Purchaser motivation and interest in these lots may have nothing to do with collection or display. As noted above, 250K is chump change for a corporation who wants to shortcut RDT&E. Some GSA acquisitions also are for scrap value. The J-2X represents current "state of the art" with over a billion dollars having been spent on its development so there are a multitude of potential reasons for engaging in the sale (its also possible the lots went their separate ways to different buyers). |
Jim Behling
Member Posts: 1743
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 09-17-2022 10:08 AM
This for scrap. There is little to gain by reverse engineering. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 5157
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-17-2022 03:29 PM
Constellation and Artemis have both benefited from inspection of 50 year old Project Apollo heritage technology for reverse engineering; I have been personally solicited by MSFC and private industry to loan artifacts for disassembly and study (mostly Saturn V S-IV and S-II LOX/LH2 valving). Believe some museums also have had their collections of spacecraft and launch vehicles accessed for similar purposes. Unless all the design data associated with J-2X is non-proprietary and accessible to competitors don't see why it is implausible for other companies to pursue this latest GSA sale. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 49194
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-17-2022 05:04 PM
Unrelated to who bought the parts, the auction had me curious if any assembled J-2X engines had made their way into museums. As it turns out, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center has a J-2X on display in the Davidson Center for Space Exploration in Huntsville, Alabama (linked photos taken in June 2022). |
tothemoon
Member Posts: 90
From: California
Registered: May 2020
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posted 09-17-2022 06:34 PM
Can confirm Scott's (SpaceAholic) note, we even used the J-2 in the Smithsonian to help us develop the J-2X.Further, the J-2X is fantastic engine, a high quality example of a well executed gas generator cycle that benefits from a rich heritage. Any of the "new space" organizations could benefit from owning the specific hardware that FOIA-able documents may provide high level information about. |
tothemoon
Member Posts: 90
From: California
Registered: May 2020
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posted 10-04-2022 07:01 PM
My career alma mater, Rocketdyne is who won all the bids for J-2X. This makes my heart happy.  |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 5157
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-04-2022 09:44 PM
Interesting outcome: One can speculate on the rational (relatively inexpensive components for re-utilization on future company efforts, preemptive purchase to preclude other competitive interests deriving benefit; historical preservation) either way congrats to Aerojet Rocketdyne and thank you for filling us in. |
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