The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama has launched a public effort to return its one-of-a-kind standing replica of the Saturn V moon rocket to its like-new condition in time for the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing this summer. The real Saturn V, which was developed at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, launched the mission that landed Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon in July 1969.
dsenechal Member
Posts: 539 From: Registered: Dec 2002
posted 02-08-2019 07:11 PM
This certainly seems like a worthy endeavor. I'm sure there is more involved than meets the eye, but $1.3 million to powerwash and repaint seems really expensive.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-08-2019 07:42 PM
Citing the campaign's website (linked above and from the article):
The project budget is $1.3 million with $1,050,000 paying for the 300-ton crane, coatings and the labor for cleaning priming and coating the Saturn V replica. An additional $250,000 is allocated for any repairs, as well as for restoring the Apollo Courtyard.
drscoop Member
Posts: 54 From: Macclesfield, UK Registered: Oct 2010
posted 02-09-2019 05:16 AM
Great to see this work being undertaken. I hope to be visiting USSRC on a trip over the Atlantic in late March. I presume this will not have significant impact on visitor facilities?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-09-2019 10:35 AM
The Space & Rocket Center has not announced any closures as a result of the ongoing work on the Saturn V.
posted 02-21-2019 07:04 AM
Have there been any updates on how the campaign is going?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-21-2019 07:13 AM
The campaign's website has a status bar showing $17,000 raised thus far.
p51 Member
Posts: 1642 From: Olympia, WA Registered: Sep 2011
posted 02-21-2019 05:53 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: The Space & Rocket Center has not announced any closures as a result of the ongoing work on the Saturn V.
Shouldn't be an issue, as the replica sits close to the Davidson Center building, but out on it's own. You could block off the entire area around it and only cause problems for the "buy a brick" area for people to see theirs.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-21-2019 11:33 AM
To date, the campaign has raised more than $40,000. Here are more details about the "Brush with Greatness" opportunity:
A Brush with Greatness donations must be received by April 3. Go big! A Brush with Greatness promises bragging rights for years to come. Gifts of $1000 or more are rewarded with an opportunity to climb onboard a lift that will reach the lower section of the Saturn V replica, a height of 40 to 45 ft. With paintbrush in hand, donors may apply a few strokes of final coat toward accomplishing the task at hand.
Opportunities are limited to select dates including April 5-6.
Your $1000 donation will be matched up to $25,000! Yes, a challenge has been issued by a very generous donor. Will you rise to the occasion?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-08-2019 04:08 PM
Per the website, online donations have now totaled $123,000 and an anonymous supporter provided an additional $100,000.
The campaign needs only $27,000 (as of June 8) to reach its goal.
posted 02-08-2019 04:45 PM
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