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  Apollo CSM in VAB storage in November 1971?

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Author Topic:   Apollo CSM in VAB storage in November 1971?
LM-12
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From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010

posted 01-30-2014 11:31 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for LM-12     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Photo KSC-71C-5533 is dated 15 November 1971 and shows two vehicles in storage inside the Vehicle Assembly Building.

The S-IVB is identified as vehicle 208, which is probably correct. The S-IVB arrived at Kennedy Space Center on 4 November 1971. It was the S-IVB for Skylab 4.

Any idea which CSM is in storage? The first Skylab CSM didn't arrive at the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building at KSC until mid-1972.

Could it be CSM-111 perhaps? I believe that was the CSM for the cancelled Apollo 15 "H" mission.

Jim Behling
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From: Cape Canaveral, FL
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posted 01-30-2014 11:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jim Behling   Click Here to Email Jim Behling     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I don't see an CSM in the picture or reference on the page.

The horizontal article is an SIVB.

LM-12
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From: Ontario, Canada
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posted 01-30-2014 12:22 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for LM-12     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I thought they were referring to the vehicle on the left as S-IVB 208.

Ken Havekotte
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From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 01-30-2014 12:35 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ken Havekotte   Click Here to Email Ken Havekotte     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I agree with Jim; There is no Apollo CSM pictured here. Both appear to be S-IVB stages with an added interstage adapter (seen on the left of this image).

Jim Behling
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From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010

posted 01-30-2014 01:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jim Behling   Click Here to Email Jim Behling     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by LM-12:
I thought they were referring to the vehicle on the left as S-IVB 208.

I would say there are two S-IVB's in the picture.

LM-12
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Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010

posted 01-30-2014 05:11 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for LM-12     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Perhaps the other S-IVB is also for Skylab.

Thanks for the replies.

Rick Teklits
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From: Yardville, NJ USA
Registered: Dec 2010

posted 02-02-2014 09:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Teklits   Click Here to Email Rick Teklits     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have always wondered just what NASA had to do specifically to preserve these boosters over the years before they were launched. How old was the Saturn IB that launched ASTP? Almost 10 years old?

Great picture! Thanks for the find!

sev8n
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From: Dallas TX USA
Registered: Jul 2012

posted 02-02-2014 11:58 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for sev8n     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Ken Havekotte:
Both appear to be S-IVB stages with an added interstage adapter (seen on the left of this image).
Looking at the apparent shadows cast on the base of the shroud I'm not convinced there is an interstage adapter under the S-IVB. It looks more like a truss structure and a ladder.

LM-12
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From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010

posted 02-03-2014 05:24 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for LM-12     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Rick Teklits:
How old was the Saturn IB that launched ASTP?

The fabrication of S-IB 210 began in Sep 1966 and was completed in Jan 1967. It was in plant storage from Aug 1967 to Oct 1972. It was shipped to KSC in Apr 1974, and placed in storage there until Dec 1974. It was stacked on the mobile launcher in Jan 1975.

These dates are from Appendix F in NASA SP-4209 The Partnership: A History of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, where there are more details on the ASTP launch vehicles.

Jim Behling
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From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010

posted 02-03-2014 08:14 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jim Behling   Click Here to Email Jim Behling     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by sev8n:
Looking at the apparent shadows cast on the base of the shroud I'm not convinced there is an interstage adapter under the S-IVB.
It has to be because the S-IB did not use a tapered interstage.

All times are CT (US)

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