Mk 5 RV

This is the Minuteman Mk 5 re-entry vehicle for the W59 thermonuclear warhead.

This particular recovered RV was shot into outer space in the 1960s to test the heat shield. Examine the RV. Notice the blistering. Scientists evaluated pieces removed from this RV. Re-entry ablation (melting or vaporizing) removes several inches and many pounds of insulation from the nose cone section.

Length	78 inches (1.98 m)
Diameter	32 inches (0.81 m)
Weight	800 pounds (362.8 kg)
Stockpiled	1962 - 1969
Yield	megaton range

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