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S-IB

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S-IB
Diagram of the S-IB first stage of the Saturn IB rocket
ManufacturerChrysler
Country of originUnited States
Used onSaturn IB (stage 1)
General characteristics
Height25.5 m (84 ft)
Diameter6.6 m (22 ft)
Gross mass448,648 kg (989,100 lb)
Derived fromS-I
Launch history
StatusRetired
Total launches9
Successes
(stage only)		9
First flightFebruary 26, 1966
Last flightJuly 15, 1975
Powered by8 H-1 engines
Maximum thrust7.1 MN (1,600,000 lbf)
Specific impulse296 s (2.90 km/s)
Burn time155 seconds
PropellantRP-1/LOX

The S-IB stage was the first stage of the Saturn IB launch vehicle, which was used for Earth orbital missions. It was an upgraded version of the S-I stage used on the earlier Saturn I rocket and was composed of nine propellant containers, eight fins, a thrust structure assembly, eight H-1 rocket engines, and many other components. It also contained the ODOP transponder. The propellant containers consisted of eight Redstone-derived tanks (four holding liquid oxygen (LOX) and four holding RP-1) clustered around a Jupiter rocket-derived tank containing LOX. The four outboard engines gimballed to steer the rocket in flight, which required a few more engine components. The S-IB burned for nearly 2.5 minutes before separating at an altitude of 42 miles (68 km).

Specifications

  • Height: 80.17 ft (24.44 m)
  • Diameter: 21.42 ft (6.53 m)
  • Number of fins: 8
  • Finspan: 39.42 ft (12.02 m)
  • Engines: 8 Rocketdyne H-1
  • Thrust: 1,600,000 lbf (7,100 kN)
  • Fuel: RP-1 (Refined kerosene) 41,000 US gal (155 m)
  • Oxidizer: Liquid oxygen (LOX) 66,277 US gal (251 m) nominal capacity including 1.5% ullage volume (43,284 US gal / 163 m in four outer tanks plus 22,993 US gal / 87 m in center tank)
  • Burn time: 2.5 min
  • Burnout altitude: 37 nmi (69 km)

Stages built

Apollo flights:

  • S-IB-1: Launched 2/26/1966 on suborbital AS-201 mission.
  • S-IB-3: Launched 7/5/1966 as AS-203 orbital test mission.
  • S-IB-2: Launched 8/25/1966 on suborbital AS-202 test mission.
  • S-IB-4: Launched 1/22/1968 on Apollo 5 orbital mission.  
  • S-IB-5: Launched 10/11/1968 on manned Apollo 7 orbital mission.


Post-Apollo Flights: 

  • S-IB-6: Launched 5/25/1973 on Skylab-2 orbital mission.
  • S-IB-7: Launched 7/23/1973 on Skylab-3 orbital mission.
  • S-IB-8: Launched 11/16/1973 on Skylab-4 orbital mission.
  • S-IB-10: Launched 7/15/1975 on ASTP orbital mission.


Hardware Not Flown:

  • S-IB-9: Stacked on MLP ready to fly as Skylab backup. Now on display at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
  • S-IB-11: Flight not assigned. Displayed vertically at Alabama Welcome Center until late 2023, when it was dismantled due to weathering.
  • S-IB-12: Flight not assigned. Presumed scrapped at Marshall Space Flight Center in late 1970s.
  • S-IB-13: Hardware scrapped.  
  • S-IB-14: Hardware scrapped.  
  • S-IB-15: Not built, cancelled by NASA in 1968.
  • S-IB-16: Not built, cancelled by NASA in 1968.

References

  1. ^ Kyle, Ed (December 6, 2012). "Saturn IB History". Space Launch Report . . . Saturn Vehicle History. Archived from the original on January 4, 2013. Retrieved 2014-09-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. Wade, Mark (2001). "Saturn IB". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on May 4, 2002.
  3. "Skylab Saturn IB Flight Manual (MSFC-MAN-206)". Technical Memorandum. NASA Marshall Spaceflight Center. 1972-09-30.
  4. "Historic Alabama welcome center rocket dismantling begins". Retrieved 2023-09-20.
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