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Author
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Topic: Saturn V Rocket
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JasonB
Member Posts: 1091
From:
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 10-08-2003 12:39 PM
   
I was just wondering if anyone could verify what I read somewhere(My interest in space exploration is new) . I remember seeing that Nasa supposedly destroyed the plans for a Saturn V rocket in order to get more funding, and that they can't build one anymore because of it. Is this true, or just hogwash? I find it hard to believe anything so stupid could have happened, but with the government involved, one never knows. I also find it hard to believe they can't rebuild what was done 30 years ago. Thanks for the help! |
Gordon Reade
Member Posts: 334
From: USA
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted 10-08-2003 12:48 PM
The production jigs for the Saturn V have been distroyed. They can no longer be built.Also the technical drawings for the LM have been scatered. They can't build that either. LBJ was right. The country "pissed it all away." |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-08-2003 12:58 PM
The plans were never destroyed. The Marshall Space Flight Center has them on microfilm and the Federal Archives in East Point, Georgia has 2,900 cubic feet of Saturn documents: http://www.space.com/news/spacehistory/saturn_five_000313.html I have heard the source of this urban legend is based on the dies for the equipment to build the parts of Saturn V were destroyed by order of Congress. However, I cannot find a source for this and it might be legend as well. |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 10-08-2003 01:25 PM
I also read somewhere the tooling was destroyed and a Saturn V can never be built again. Just can't remember where I read it.
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spacecraft films
Member Posts: 802
From: Columbus, OH USA
Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 10-08-2003 01:42 PM
Well, it is kind of unfair to say a Saturn V can never be built again.Problem is, along with shutting down the production line, launch facilities, transportation rigs, test stands, etc. were converted to space shuttle operations. Even if the tooling were there to build it, where would you test it, and where would you launch it? As is true of all things, virtually anything can be done with enough time, people and money. If the desire were there to build another Saturn V, then it could be done using the existing base of knowledge on the previous vehicle, updating electronics, etc. Most of the components of the original Saturn V could not be found today. It's not fair to say we completely "pissed it away," although we did a pretty good job of it. I have heard, however, that there are a couple of sets of F-1 and J-2 engines at Marshall, that have been maintained on purge continuously since the end of the Saturn program. Pretty cool. Mark |
JasonB
Member Posts: 1091
From:
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 10-08-2003 01:46 PM
Thanks for the help! Fascinating reading. It's mind-boggling their talking of building a rocket that still isn't as powerful as what they had 30 years ago. |
spacecraft films
Member Posts: 802
From: Columbus, OH USA
Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 10-08-2003 01:46 PM
Of course the tooling for the Space Shuttle is gone as well....Endeavour was built from a set of structrual spares built during the original production run, and while there was some talk of building another set after Challenger, it was never done. Mark |
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