posted 08-05-2018 11:07 AM
How many rocket engines was there in total on the Apollo space vehicle, large and small ones?
I know there were five F-1s (first stage) and six J-2s (second and third stage). Eight retrorockets on the Saturn V first stage, four on the second stage and maybe four on the third stage, 16?
The escape tower, four. A main engine on the service/command module plus 12 attitude control system rockets. Two main engines on the lunar module descent/ascent stages (one each). Additionally 16 smaller thrusters on the LM ascent stage.
62 in grand total, is that correct?
space1 Member
Posts: 861 From: Danville, Ohio Registered: Dec 2002
posted 08-05-2018 11:36 AM
I believe the escape rocket had a single rocket motor with 4 nozzles. At any rate it also had a jettison rocket engine at the nose.
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 4494 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-05-2018 12:27 PM
Low, number well over 80. You under counted CSM RCS and there were S-II/S-IVB ullage motors and APS engines too.
Solarplexus Member
Posts: 110 From: Norway Registered: Jan 2014
posted 08-05-2018 04:01 PM
Huh, yes I obviously missed some there. Thanks for answers. I assumed by pictures that there was four engines in the escape tower, minus two there then. But a lot more engines on the S-II/S-IVB ullage motors and APS engines.
At Spaceline it is stated that there was 41 separate engines on the Saturn V. That must include retro rockets on all stages and separation rings I guess.
So it adds up. I will try to find some more info on the service/command and lunar modules.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3160 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 08-05-2018 07:43 PM
You need to take account of the fact that on Apollo 15 the number of first-stage retro-rockets was reduced from 8 to 4, but the number was restored to 8 for Apollo 16.
paul.i.w Member
Posts: 65 From: UK Registered: Feb 2006
posted 08-06-2018 03:52 AM
Here's a useful video going through all 83 engines and motors.
Solarplexus Member
Posts: 110 From: Norway Registered: Jan 2014
posted 08-06-2018 09:57 AM
There you go, thank you. A very informative video. Thanks to Amy too.
So, 83 rocket engines in total, plus five on the escape tower if we include them, total 88. Or 84 on Apollo 15 as Blackarrow noted. A solid number. Would love to see them all laid out on a hangar floor.
Jim Behling Member
Posts: 1488 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
posted 08-06-2018 11:08 AM
Escape tower had only three (escape, jettison and pitch over). The number of nozzles do not equate to number of motors. The escape motor had four nozzles but only one motor grain. Same with the jettison (multiple nozzles with one grain).
Solarplexus Member
Posts: 110 From: Norway Registered: Jan 2014
posted 08-06-2018 01:54 PM
That's confirmative, thanks. I just included the number of engines stated in the end of the video, at 6:03 min. Then we have 83 engines plus 3 at the escape tower, 86 in total. 82 on Apollo 15. And all had to work, amazing.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3160 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 08-06-2018 08:33 PM
And all would have been in vain if the mortars that blew out the parachutes hadn't worked. But those were pyrotechnics, not rockets, and I don't think they count, or we would have to increase that number a lot!
Jim Behling Member
Posts: 1488 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
posted 08-06-2018 09:31 PM
quote:Originally posted by Solarplexus: And all had to work, amazing.
No, the escape and pitch motor did not operate for a successful launch.
posted 08-05-2018 11:07 AM
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