Posts: 55
From: Warwick, RI USA
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 04-26-2013 01:42 PM            

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I am wondering if anyone has any info on the possible repair and restoration of the Saturn 1B (SA-109) in the rocket garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center. Is anything planned?

I was there recently and it is in somewhat bad shape - birds living within, cracked paint, mold and mildew build up, etc. Reminds me of the days when the Saturn V was displayed outside the Vehicle Assembly Building.

Posts: 374
From: Honolulu, HI, USA
Registered: Sep 2010

posted 04-26-2013 11:21 PM               

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That's...alarming.

I checked the article on Wikipedia, and it is SA-209, which was the standby that would have launched a notional Skylab 4 and later Apollo-Soyuz rescue CSM-119. It also would have launched the cancelled CSM mission to lift Skylab workshop's orbit until the Space Shuttle ready to fly. The article notes that "Due to severe corrosion, the first stage engines and Service Module were replaced with fabricated duplicates in 1993–1994."

So this would seem to be the only remaining (formerly) fully launch-ready Saturn IB.

Posts: 371
From: Bloomington, Illinois, USA
Registered: May 2005

Posts: 1348
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 04-27-2013 05:17 AM               

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Take a look at this thread I started in 2009 on this subject. In the pictures you can see the Saturn 1B. While peeling paint and mildew are ugly, it is the significant amount of exfoliation corrosion happening on the lower hat section stingers that have me concerned. The last time I was there I saw even more corrosion on some of the main fittings. I can not even imagine what is going on top side, in places where water can pool after the rain.

I trust they will do something about it at some point and I hope it is not just a pressure wash and a coat of paint.

Posts: 26674
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 04-27-2013 08:19 AM               

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From what I understand, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's 10-year master plan, which includes the construction of the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, the recently completed new entranceway into the complex, and the new Rocket Garden restaurant opposite the Rocket Garden, also includes work on the Rocket Garden itself.

I don't have many details to share yet, but will inquire what can be said publicly during the next press event.

Posts: 374
From: Honolulu, HI, USA
Registered: Sep 2010

posted 04-27-2013 06:47 PM               

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Fred, thanks for linking to that other thread with the pics.

Where is the Apollo LUT swing arm now? I've been to KSC 3 times in the last 18 months and haven't seen it - did I somehow miss it, or was it moved?

Robert, I look forward to hearing your updates as you find out from the folks at KSC.

Posts: 26674
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

Posts: 99
From: Merritt Island, FL
Registered: Nov 2011

posted 04-27-2013 07:46 PM               

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I've heard that some of the artifacts in the Rocket Garden actually belong to the Smithsonian, which would complicate matters as it would be their responsibility to fix them, not KSCVC.

Robert, any insights on that?

Posts: 26674
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

Posts: 99
From: Merritt Island, FL
Registered: Nov 2011

Posts: 374
From: Honolulu, HI, USA
Registered: Sep 2010

Posts: 55
From: Warwick, RI USA
Registered: Jan 2006