Vernier thruster

[kevin-rf]

The thread on the history of Gimballed main engines has me wondering about the early history of verniers (actually I was wondering before the thread popped up).

In the drive to replace steering vanes what early programs decided to use gimballed thrusters (verniers) instead of gimballing the main engine(s).

In reality we are most likely talking about two different stories.

The first US IRBM's (Thor) and ICBM's (Atlas) used them and the first Soviet ICBM (R-7) used them. Today Soyuz and Delta II still use them.

Did the idea predate the end of WW-II or did US and Soviet teams come up with the idea separately?

Do any rockets with verniers predate Atlas,R-7, and Thor?

[Jim]

Verniers came about for Thor and Atlas because even with gimbaling, single engine vehicles need a method of roll control.

[Art LeBrun]

Verniers came about for Thor and Atlas because even with gimbaling, single engine vehicles need a method of roll control.

And velocity refinement...............

[kevin-rf]

So no prior art?

[Art LeBrun]

So no prior art?

Your topic is verniers with fixed chambers so I removed my off topic roll control with gimbaled engine response.