posted 03-24-2012 09:06 AM               

Space Cover #154, Apollo-Saturn V Center Grand Opening Cover

On January 8, 1997, occurred the grand opening of the Apollo-Saturn V Center and the grand opening gala. This officially opened to the public the display of the huge Saturn V moon rocket inside the Apollo-Saturn V Center.

Since then, countless space fans have walked around and under the horizontally displayed 363-foot tall rocket, only one of three still in existence.

Shown here is a cover commemorating the A-SVC opening and the grand opening gala that was attended by ten Apollo astronauts, nine of which flew on the only 13 Saturn V's ever to be launched.

Pictured are those ten Apollo astronauts at the opening and were honored at the gala grand opening event.

The Saturn V rocket in the A-SVC has long been a favorite photo location for space fans, including astronauts. The bottom photo shows members of NASA's Astronaut Class of 1998/Group 17 lining up under the five huge Saturn V J-1 engines of the massive S-1C first stage.