Research and Test Apparatus

Convair, San Diego, California, have installed a large centrifuge for testing components of the Atlas I.C.B.M. Objects weighing 2,000 lb. can be swung at 121 r.p.m. at 20 ft. radius giving accelerations of 100 g. The container can also provide a temperature range of +350 to −100 deg. F., and vibrators are to be fitted later. The beam is driven by three hydraulic motors, which act also as brakes to decelerate it.