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MSFC technicians appear to be installing one of the four central H-1 engines at the base of an unidentified Saturn I first stage, possibly SA-4, possibly circa 1962.
I submit 1962 because the leading “2” may be 1962 abbreviated. Weak, I know, but who really cares. If so, maybe SA-4 based on the entries here:
history.nasa.gov/MHR-5/part-3.htm
An excellent photograph, all kinds of detail resolvable.
“1/10 SCALE MODEL SATURN 3 STAGE C-1 CONFIGURATION ON MODEL LAUNCHER”
Above per the display placard seen in the photograph itself.
Obviously, the placard, let alone the magnificent model, along with the Saturn C-1 “clustering” sequence graphics in the background, and it being from 1960 - leads me to believe that all of this was set up for President Eisenhower’s dedication of MSFC that year. That, along with whatever other VIP visits likely to have been hosted then. The partial red H-1 engine cover seen at the right border may be of the S-I stage seen in the linked photograph of Dr. von Braun & the President. Note also the ‘spoked’ circular items in the background, those being the ends used of the fixtures/jigs/dollies(?) used to hold/transport(?) those first-stage H-1 engines. In fact, I believe the red nozzle of one of them…is seen directly behind/under the placard.
AWESOME, although probably TRAGIC, with the model most likely being long gone. I hope I’m wrong.
On a slick high-gloss photo paper that has the feel of photo film, but thick. Very reminiscent of old-school camera film. I don’t know how the printed text on the verso adheres to it without smearing. It doesn’t even appear to be “on” it…looks more like “in” it. The text referenced, I assume of the photograph processor/developer:
“Color by Col*Cor*A
COLOR CORPORATION OF AMERICA
“The quality Color Service to the Trade”
NEW YORK CITY and TAMPA, FLORIDA”
“Dr. Wernher von Braun, Marshall Space Flight Center's first director, points out details on a Saturn rocket to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. President Eisenhower was at Marshall to participate in the center's dedication ceremony, Sept. 8, 1960.
Two years earlier on July 29, 1958, President Eisenhower signed into law the National Aeronautics and Space Act (Pub. L. 85-568), the United States federal statute that created NASA…”
From/at:
www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1185.html
And/or:
“Dr. von Braun briefs President Eisenhower at the front of the S1 Stage (first Stage) of the Saturn 1 vehicle at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) on September 8, 1960. The President's visit was to dedicate Marshall Space Flight Center as a new NASA field center in honor of General George C. Marshall.”
From/at:
images.nasa.gov/details-6020316
Some funky processing, developing…something…was used on this photograph. The physical condition is very good with the understood yellowing. However, upon close inspection, it looks like the photograph was developed from/of a photograph that had been marked, highlighted, etc., for press purposes of the time. That is, they're incorporated into the photograph. Weird. Also, the obverse is of a soft satin/nearly matte finish, whereas the verso is a uniform mottled semi-gloss.
Finally, I’m considering the 'number' associated with the image online to possibly be a sort of bastardized version of the original.
Regardless of all of the above, it’s an historic ‘space’ image.
“The Saturn IB launch vehicle lifting off from Launch Complex 39B at 9:01 a.m. EST. The Skylab 4 astronauts Gerald P. Carr, Dr. Edward G. Gibson, and William R. Pogue, were onboard for the third and final mission to the orbiting space station.”
The above is probably the original caption, or remnant there of. Probably safe to assume that the date of launch was never part of it.
Thanks ONLY to Wikimedia Commons, NOT NASA…NOT ANYMORE at least, the original abridged photo identification number managed to survive:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saturn_IB_Launch.jpg
I assume due to its aesthetic appeal and to add insult to incompet…err…injury, the online photo vultures have appropriated a high-resolution version of it for $$$$.
GOOD NEWS though - this photograph is NOT left-to-right reversed - somehow, it’s actually CORRECTLY oriented! A moral victory & reason for mock celebration if ever there was such.
Good times…good times indeed.
“Three different rocket engines used to power the two Saturn vehicles are lined up at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Michoud Assembly Facility. The Uprated Saturn I and Saturn V vehicles, the first stages of which are assembled at Michoud, are designed for use in Project Apollo, the United States’ manned lunar exploration program. The engines were built for NASA by the Rocketdyne Division of North American Aviation, Inc. Eight of the H-1 engines, (left) will develop 1.6 million pounds of thrust at liftoff for the Uprated Saturn I first stage. Five F-1 engines (center) will provide 7.5 million pounds of thrust for the Saturn V first stage. The J-2 engine (right) is used on both vehicles. Five J-2’s will give one million pounds of thrust to the second stage of the Saturn V and one J-2 will power both the third stage of the Saturn V and second stage of the Uprated Saturn I. The Uprated Saturn I will be used for astronaut training and testing the Apollo spacecraft’s systems, while the Saturn V will launch manned Apollo flights to the moon within this decade.”
Quite the lineup, eh?
FIFTY-FIVE (55)+ years ago!
Note that the F-1 does not have its nozzle extension attached.
Well-written, commensurate with the amazing quality, depth, richness & detail of the photograph.
Finally, too cool:
rocketreference.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/H-1-F-1-Co...
Credit: "ROCKETreference.com" website
Per what I consider ‘credible’ hand annotation on the verso, a night static-firing of the Saturn C-1/I SA-T first stage at the Static Test Tower (STT), aka T-Stand, aka Facility/Building no. 4752, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), some time during 1960.
If indeed a night firing, that, along with the presence of the Jupiter rocket/missile, and the STT still bearing the “U. S. ARMY” lettering, should allow conclusive identification of which of the following dates it is.
Just my two cents, but it looks like eight engines up & running, thus eliminating April 6, and by June, maybe even May, the NASA meatball logo may/should? have replaced the U. S. Army lettering, leaving April 29 as the most likely date. Who knows:
April 6, 1960:
Four of the eight H-1 engines of the Saturn C-1 first-stage booster were successfully static-fired at Redstone Arsenal for seven seconds.
Saturn Illustrated Chronology, p. 11.
April 29, 1960:
At Redstone Arsenal, all eight H-1 engines of the first stage of the Saturn C-1 launch vehicle were static-fired simultaneously for the first time and achieved 1.3 million pounds of thrust.
New York Times, April 30, 1960.
May 26, 1960:
Eight H-1 engines of the first stage of the Saturn C-1 launch vehicle were static-fired for 35.16 seconds, producing 1.3 million pounds of thrust. This first public demonstration of the H-1 took place at Marshall Space Flight Center.
Rocketdyne Skywriter, June 3, 1960, p. 1.
June 15, 1960:
The Saturn C-1 first stage successfully completed its first series of static tests at the Marshall Space Flight Center with a 122-second firing of all eight H-1 engines.
Rocketdyne Skywriter, June 24, 1960, p. 4.
All above per/at:
www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-4009/v1p1.htm#1960-a
Although the photo paper bears no watermark, it has the look & feel of the earliest heavy “A KODAK PAPER”.
An excellent view of the S-I stage (S-I-7), of the SA-7 launch vehicle during assembly in Bldg. 4705, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), I assume sometime during 1963. I have no idea which Saturn I the other S-I stage is associated with.
The photograph has the familiar “A KODAK PAPER” look & feel, despite devoid of such, or for that matter, any watermark.
“Launch of SA-10 from pad 37B at KSC.”
Removal of H-1 Rocket Engine [for Saturn booster S-I] from water in salt water. Immersion test at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/
Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
"Erection of SATURN SA-9 Booster LC37."
Also, from another SA-9 photograph:
“The eighth Saturn I vehicle was launched February 16, 1965, from Launch Complex 37B at Cape Kennedy, Fla. The 18-story high rocket orbited the first Pegasus meteoroid detection satellite. The eighth vehicle to be flown, SA-9, was launched out of sequence before SA-8 because its assembly and ground testing were completed earlier.”
Note the less than pristine appearance of the heat shield...almost like it'd already flown. I assume as a result of a successful MSFC static test firing conducted in March 1964. Also, this Saturn I first stage (S-I-9), was the final booster manufactured by the Center.
Above paraphrased from the March entry, at:
history.nasa.gov/MHR-5/part-5.htm
Always superlative:
heroicrelics.org/info/saturn-i-and-ib/saturn-i-ib-turbine...
Credit: Mike Jetzer/heroicrelics.org
"SATURN ENGINE APPLICATIONS"
Per the official description associated with MSFC-9801767 (see comments & thanks to Cygni_18):
"This image illustrates the basic differences between the three Saturn launch vehicles developed by the Marshall Space Flight Center. The Saturn I, consisted of two stages, the S-I (eight H-1 engines) and the S-IV (six RL-10 engines). The Saturn IB (center) also consisted of two stages, the S-IB (eight H-1 engines) and the S-IVB (one J-2 engine). The Saturn V consisted of three stages, the S-IC (five F-1 engines), the S-II (five J-2 engines), and the S-IVB (one J-2 engine)."
"IND A1404E" is an unfamiliar photo ID, I've never seen anything resembling it.
“A full scale mock-up of H-1 engines for the Saturn Rocket, is suspended from the static test tower. The “wheeled” vehicle on ground is a weight test simulator to test portability and structure for Saturn booster made at Redstone Arsenal.
Jan 1960.
Photo by 1st Lt Cecil Stoughton”
Cecil Stoughton:
www.jfklibrary.org/sites/default/files/archives/JFKOH/Sto...
Credit: JFK Library website
“The first stage (S-IB) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Uprated Saturn I rocket, shown in this cutaway drawing, is powered by eight 200,000-pound-thrust liquid fueled engines. The stage is 21.5 feet in diameter and 80 feet in height. Twelve of the first stages are under contract to be built at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility here by the Chrysler Corporation Space Division. The two-stage Uprated Saturn I space vehicles will be used to place Apollo spacecraft into earth orbit for spacecraft tests and astronaut training preliminary to actual manned lunar landing flights.”
Note the “SA-201” markings...which was to be the flight of the first uprated Saturn I (Saturn IB) two years later.
One of an amazing string of successful unmanned test flights of new vehicles, under enormous pressure to succeed.
Unparalleled to this day.
Exquisite work, very similar to the linked photo below, which was rendered by Mr. Ralph Marino.
Regardless, the following is what matters:
www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/articl...
Although not of this vehicle, it's gorgeous and thus merits its inclusion here:
bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/theadvocate.com/cont...
Credit: The Advocate/Robin Miller
Rest In Peace Mr. Marino and Thank You:
obits.theadvocate.com/us/obituaries/theadvocate/name/ralp...
Credit: Legacy website
"Saturn I booster being installed in static test stand at MSFC."
Rockets, big & small, MSFC, 1960. Note also the other S-I stage in the background, on the right, slightly above the pedestal fan.
I think the model is an early Juno V concept. With Titan(?) upper stages. Referred to, in another photograph of the model, as a Saturn C-1.
Must see/read:
www.drewexmachina.com/2018/10/06/juno-v-the-birth-of-the-...
Credit: Drew Ex Machina/Andrew LePage website
Per the "Florida Memory" website:
"This 1/10th model of the three-stage 180-foot Saturn C-1 rocket for display at the Southeastern Industrial Exposition in Orlando."
At:
www.floridamemory.com/items/show/8751
If correctly identified, an amusing reference:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/Saturn_I_prof...
Credit: Wikimedia
Static test firing of an unidentified S-I stage, possibly sometime during 1961, at the Static Test Tower, aka. T-Stand, aka. Facility/Building no. 4752, MSFC.
The placards appear to be "SAT-19"? Logical that this is either SA-T1 or SA-T2 then? But wait, is the “T” a “1”? Who knows. A press release version of this photo is dated October 2 & 12, 1961. Another similarly dated press photo bares “Saturn no. 3”, hand-annotated on the verso.
The hand-highlighted area is due to this photo having been used for news/press release purposes, and I'm assuming the crude printing techniques of the time required it, to enhance contrast within the photo.
7” x 9”.
“The National Aeronautics and Space Administration launched the first Pegasus meteoroid detection satellite today at 9:37 am EST. Useing the Saturn I. The paroges 308 mile and rpogss 458 mile Pegasus is the largest unmanned satellite developed by National Aeronautics and Space Administration and will sweep space, detecting and recording collision with meteorites.
NASA photo by:
Crowe, Technicolor Corp.”
Doesn't the inexcusable spelling, atrocious grammar and obvious cluelessness of the writer lend a certain charm to the photo? Although it's seriously faded, that's indeed what's written on the back...wouw! Well, it was the space race...so, who really had time for trivial stuff like press photo caption QC? Meteoroid/meteorite...does it really matter? Nah! 😉
www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/history/pegasus.html
Three Rocketdyne G-38, S-3D(?), early H-1(?) rocket engines undergoing test firing a long long time ago, at either EAFB or (more likely) SSTF/SSFL I believe.
They're one of these:
www.astronautix.com/l/lr79.html
Credit: A HUGE shoutout to the Astronautix website
Great (as always) pertinent (I think) content, at both of these superlative (confirmed) websites:
heroicrelics.org/info/s-3d/s-3d-overview.html
And:
www.drewexmachina.com/2014/06/09/a-history-of-american-ro...
www.drewexmachina.com/2018/10/06/juno-v-the-birth-of-the-...
“Eight of these H-1 liquid propellant rocket engines, designed and developed by Rocketdyne, a division of North American Aviation, Inc., will be clustered to form the 1,500,000 pound thrust propulsion system for the Army/ARPA Saturn space vehicle. The new engine, shown on the static test stand at Rocketdyne propulsion field laboratory, is a compact, simplified version of the flight-proven Jupiter and Thor intercontinental range ballistic missile engine.”
Above is per the caption of an identical photograph, date stamped May 18, 1959.
history.nasa.gov/SP-4206/ch2.htm
"To students of astronomy, Saturn is a far-off planet. But to the space people, it is a booster that can help the U.S. take a big step forward in the space race. Here is the tail-end of Saturn, which will be test-fired in two weeks (Oct. 16) from Cape Canaveral, Fla."
Almost reads like way too many "official" NASA captions. Just kidding...b'just barely...unfortunately.
Based on the press slug, it might/should(?) be SA-1. I'd like to think newspaper editors back then would've matched up the right rocket photo to the story, However, I'm not fully convinced. Primary reason being - and I concede it's weak - is because of the numbers on the H-1 engine covers. I've not seen those in all the photos I have, or seen elsewhere...that are confirmed to be of S-I-1/SA-1.
Who knows. Close enough, right?
7" x 9".
