The mighty Saturn V

[m3pj]

I wanted to share a few shots taken recently at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL, given that we are in the midst of the 40th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 lunar mission. The scale of these vehicles is simply awesome. The new indoor display of the Saturn V is a very nice facility.

Saturn IB - predecessor to the V

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/579637114_bWBoL-L.jpg



Saturn V

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/579636176_svtzF-L.jpg



Saturn V - rising 363'

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/579636658_D4DWQ-XL.jpg



Stage 1 business end

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/579638109_Lo44Q-XL.jpg




One of the 5 F1 engines on Stage 1

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/579638378_6EMB2-L.jpg



Third stage with its single J1 engine - this was responsible for the "translunar injection", or propelling force from earth orbit to the moon

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/579638836_htWHX-L.jpg



A closer look at the mighty F1 - 1.5 MILLION pounds of thrust from each one of these!

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/579638655_nFbun-L.jpg



From "above"

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/579637734_xzTfU-XL.jpg


thanks for looking!

[motoyen]

Awesome photos! Love the sheer power these rockets extrude even as a static display.

[Jonathan]

Love them - great series.

[PhotosGuy]

Good series!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/PhotosGuy/Forum%20Junk/Welcome-ChargerRT_020.gif

[FlyingPhotog]

Nice Visual Tour...

Interesting that Huntsville has two Saturn Vs while KSC only gets one.

Are they both real? IIRC, Johnson in Huston has one as well which would make four.

I didn't think there were four left in the world.

[m3pj]

Thanks, everybody. I think the Huntsville ones were for developmental purposes never meant to be flown, but I think the one in KSC was actual flight hardware that was decommissioned.

[anthonyi]

Saw the KSC one back in the early 90's - glad to see they're caring for these a little better than they were back then.

Those engines...just breathtaking.

[sjolly]

Hello from Huntsville, Al. Yes we have two Saturn V rockets but the one in the picture stand 363' is a fake, it was built about 4 or 5 years ago for the anniversary that I can not remember and the one that is in the building on it's side is a real one that was ready to be used till NASA stop going to the moon. Think there is only 3 left Hsville, KSC, Johnson.

The first space camp was start here in Huntsville.

[interface]

Hello from Huntsville, Al. Yes we have two Saturn V rockets but the one in the picture stand 363' is a fake, it was built about 4 or 5 years ago for the anniversary that I can not remember and the one that is in the building on it's side is a real one that was ready to be used till NASA stop going to the moon. Think there is only 3 left Hsville, KSC, Johnson.

The first space camp was start here in Huntsville.


Hey from Florence, AL.

Correct... However I know that the Saturn V that is outside (the fake one) has been there for at least 12 years, but exactly how long I do not know. Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal is also where the rockets were built... This is why there are still so many parts and pieces of them left around there. Hence the Rocket City. Hunstville is a wonderful area with tons of history and engineering lore there!

Outstanding photos btw!

[BTR_FTW]

freaking unbelieveable.

i'd love to see that in person.

[gjl711]

Nice series. What an amazing machine.

[vtecsilver]

Nice collection of photos, and very interesting.

[Josh_30]

Ahh, space camp... that brings back memories from middle school, lol. I've always loved these rockets and thought they were very cool, but I have to say the most fun part of space camp was getting to play around in the multi-axis-chair :) .