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

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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).

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