HISTORY - Page 58
 
 
  engines were down rated by ABMA from 150,000 
  pounds to 135,000 pounds because the turbopump was 
  not satisfactory. NAA was already in the process of 
  modifying this unit, and two pumps were subjected to 
  prolonged tests with satisfactory results. However, 
  because of the critical supply of these engines, the 
  first JUPITER missiles had to fly with the lower thrust 
  units. In fact, while  procuring the first four flyable 
  units, the situation was far from being satisfactory to 
  ABMA. For one thing, procurement had to be effected 
  through WDD, which caused an undue administrative 
  workload. Then, the uncovering of the technical design 
  deficiencies created a severe problem in assuring the 
  timely delivery of spare parts and modification kits. 
  One problem had, in turn, created another. NAA was 
  supposed to have been able to ship the missiles 
  completely modified to ABMA in January 1957, but it 
  was several months after that. Engine modifications of 
  late 1956 and 1957, however, appeared to be quite 
  successful. This was aptly demonstrated in one 
  instance during a static test at NAA, when a 
  unintended overrun to 195,000 pounds of thrust 
  happened. The turbopump and the thrust chamber did 
  not show any damage
  77
  . From time to time, however, 
  technical problems, including the turbopump, did crop 
  up. 
  Another major propulsion system problem concerned 
  propellant sloshing. This condition was uncovered 
  during the firing of JUPITER IB, the second  JUPITER 
  missile fired. After a normal liftoff and up to 70 
  seconds, the flight program was normal, but then 
  oscillations in pitch and yaw began to build up and the 
  missile disintegrated at 93 seconds. Heavy 
  instrumentation immediately located the difficulty, 
  and data showed
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  (77) Ibid.; JUP Prog Rept for Apr 57,  undated; JUP Prog Rpt for Aug 57, 6 Sep 57, Hist Off files.