Reaction Motors

Reaction Motors, Inc. began operation as early as 1930 through the work of then American Interplanetary Society members Lovell Lawrence, George Edward Pendray, Hugh Pierce, and engineer John Shesta.

Though test flights are recorded from 1933 forward, the group would rename themselves the American Rocket Society and continue experimentation in the relatively populous area of Staten Island until incorporating Reaction Motors, Inc. under Lovell Lawrence in 1938 in pursuit of a war-time contract from the United States Navy.

Operating on a start-up budget of $5,000, the company first used a bicycle shop in Oakland, New Jersey, belonging to Shesta's brother in-law as mailing address and laboratory but soon moved to a former night club in Pompton Plains to provide space for rocket engine testing and machine work.

[1] In early 1956, following an extensive bidding war, Reaction Motors, Inc. was awarded a contract from the United States Navy for the development of the proposed XLR30 engine to be used to power the experimental aircraft known as X-15 and eventually pursue crewed spaceflight.

The X-15 is credited as having reached a record Mach 6.72 at 67 miles above the Earth, being solely responsible for providing the data necessary to insulate and maintain the structural integrity of the Mercury spacecraft, and a host of additional technical achievements and aviation milestones.