Space History Photo: Rockets or JATO Jet Assisted Take Off Units

By NASA Archives
published

space history, rockets, jet assisted take off units
A Jet Assisted Take Off Unit, now known as a rocket, under construction. (Image credit: Fred Lindelbach)

In this historical photo from the U.S. space agency, Rockets, or JATO — Jet Assisted Take Off Units — are seen under construction at the High Pressure Combustion Facility on March 19, 1946. Such engines were often used during the 1940s-1960s to boost heavily-laden aircraft off the ground.

Each weekday, SPACE.com looks back at the history of spaceflight through photos (archive).

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.

NASA Archives
NASA Archives
U.S. Space Agency

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is the U.S. government agency in charge of the civilian space program as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. Founded in 1958, NASA is a civilian space agency aimed at exploring the universe with space telescopes,  satellites, robotic spacecraft, astronauts and more. The space agency has 10 major centers based across the U.S. and launches robotic and crewed missions from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral Florida. It's astronaut corps is based at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. To follow NASA's latest mission, follow the space agency on Twitter or any other social channel, of visit: nasa.gov.