RETF stands for “Rocket Engines Test Facility” that worked in collaboration with NASA. This laboratory was located within the Glenn Research Center, in Cleveland, Ohio.

-Dedicated to the testing of new engines and new fuels, it has worked for more than 40 years, until 2003.

“Fluorine engine”

"Exploded view of the previous engine"

“Another engine tested by RETF”

-The tests were done at the limit of resistance naturally, to check the capacity of the materials.

-It was common for failures and explosions to occur, both in the engines and in the installations.

-The below illustrations show two very significant cases of the risks that were run in that place.

“Burst combustion chamber”

“Chamber and nozzle open like a daisy”