Topic: Infinity Science Center (MS): Saturn V S-IC
garyd2831 Member
Posts: 640 From: Syracuse, New York, USA Registered: Oct 2009
posted 10-15-2015 08:28 PM
Fred Haise and the great folks at the Infinity Science Center have teamed up with Kickstarter and launched a 30-day campaign to raise funds for a final resting location and preservation efforts needed to save the Saturn V first stage currently located at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.
The project is the move the first stage from its current location to its new home located at the Infinity Science Center, a NASA visitor center, located just down the road from the Stennis Space Center in Pearlington, Mississippi.
Any help to preserve this national treasure would be greatly appreciated. You can find more information regarding this Kickstarter campaign here.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
Forty-five years ago Friday (Oct. 16), NASA's last-ever Saturn V rocket stage arrived back at its birthplace.
The 138-foot-long (42 m) S-IC first stage, which served as the engine-tipped "business end" of the three-stage Apollo moon booster, was shipped by river barge to the Michoud Assembly Facility outside of New Orleans after being test fired at the Mississippi Test Facility (now Stennis Space Center) for a final time. Originally built to launch Apollo 19 to the moon, the mission was canceled and the stage was deemed no longer needed.
Now, on the anniversary of its arrival home, a new mission is underway to return the S-IC stage to Stennis, where it will undergo conservation and be put on public display by the INFINITY Science Center. The museum, which is also the visitor center for Stennis, has now launched "Back the Booster," a Kickstarter project to crowdfund the $500,000 needed to move the S-IC back to Mississippi.
AstronautBrian Member
Posts: 287 From: Louisiana Registered: Jan 2006
posted 04-20-2016 11:02 AM
I read some exciting news for folks in my area. The Infinity Science Center in Pearlington, Mississippi will soon receive a restored Saturn V first stage complete with five engines for display. According to this news article, it will arrive at the center sometime in mid-May.
I'll keep an eye on it to see when it is officially opened/dedicated and will try to attend. If anyone has further details, please share.
Editor's note: Threads merged.
onesmallstep Member
Posts: 1310 From: Staten Island, New York USA Registered: Nov 2007
posted 04-20-2016 12:19 PM
Great news! I'm sure Fred Haise and others involved in the center's design and operation will keep adding more exhibits. One more reason for me to travel to that part of the country to visit.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-20-2016 12:53 PM
quote:Originally posted by AstronautBrian: ...will soon receive a restored Saturn V first stage
A slight correction: they will be receiving the S-IC and then will need to restore it. When it arrives, it will be in the same (poor) condition it is now at the Michoud Assembly Facility.
AstronautBrian Member
Posts: 287 From: Louisiana Registered: Jan 2006
posted 04-20-2016 07:56 PM
I look forward to seeing the S-IC soon. Hopefully, any future event to dedicate the Saturn stage will have an appearance from Fred Haise.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
More than four decades after its mission to the moon was canceled, NASA's last-assembled Saturn V rocket stage has been launched on a journey to become a roadside attraction.
"We are putting it on display along Interstate 10, one of the most heavily traveled interstates in the country. People will be able to see it as they enter Mississippi from Louisiana," said John Wilson, executive director of the Infinity Science Center in Pearlington, Mississippi.
Ronpur Member
Posts: 1211 From: Brandon, Fl Registered: May 2012
posted 06-16-2016 05:43 PM
I am with Freddo, I wish it was at the bottom of the Atlantic, but this is awesome.
Are the two missing fairings and fins stored somewhere? Or are they lost?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-16-2016 08:42 PM
I'll inquire about the fairing and fin, though the INFINITY Science Center intends to display the stage as is — on its overland transport — so those components would still be removed.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-16-2016 08:43 PM
INFINITY Science Center video
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-20-2016 02:41 PM
The Saturn V S-IC is ready for its move tonight (June 20) from Stennis Space Center to the Infinity Science Center.
mode1charlie Member
Posts: 1169 From: Honolulu, HI Registered: Sep 2010
posted 06-20-2016 06:07 PM
Are those the original (functional) F-1 engines? I recall reading somewhere that the S-IC, as part of its refurbishment, would be getting new F-1s, but it seems it already has them...
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-20-2016 06:18 PM
Those are the same F-1 engines that have been installed on the stage since it was parked at the main entrance of the Michoud Assembly Facility in 1978.
The engines include the last F-1 engine to roll off the production line and two that had been fired with another S-IC (prior to their being tested with the other three on S-IC-15).
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-20-2016 07:46 PM
quote:Originally posted by Ronpur: Are the two missing fairings and fins stored somewhere?
Michoud did not have the fairings and fins, but the Infinity has located some and will be looking at obtaining them as move forward.
AstronautBrian Member
Posts: 287 From: Louisiana Registered: Jan 2006
posted 06-21-2016 07:38 AM
I've been following the travels of the first stage on Infinity's Facebook page. They posted video this morning of it being brought down I-10 in the overnight hours, and its arrival at Infinity. It was a sight to see that massive rocket stage being hauled down the interstate! I look forward to seeing it in person soon.
posted 06-21-2016 08:44 AM
I'm glad the the booster will be refurbished and that it's not becoming condominiums or something like that! However, one day people will ask why we we didn't use it for a mission.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
A massive, 40-year-old relic left over from NASA's Apollo moon program has landed a new mission as a roadside attraction on one of the United States' most traveled highways.
Drivers taking Interstate 10 to enter Mississippi from Louisiana on Tuesday (June 21) were the first to catch sight of the newly-delivered Saturn V first stage parked outside the Infinity Science Center, the visitor center for the nearby NASA Stennis Space Center in Pearlington, Mississippi.
The 138-foot-long (42 meter), 360-ton artifact was moved overnight from Stennis, in part rolling down the same stretch of the interstate it now sits beside.
"This is an incredible day," said astronaut Fred Haise, who was slated to fly atop the rocket stage until his Apollo 19 moon landing mission was canceled in 1970. "We have an incredible object behind me here."
AstronautBrian Member
Posts: 287 From: Louisiana Registered: Jan 2006
posted 06-22-2016 10:34 PM
My son and daughter left today with their grandparents on a little trip to the Gulf Coast, and passed by Infinity on the way. I hope to get there myself very soon; perhaps this weekend. If I do, I'll snap some good pics to share. According to the Infinity Facebook page, they hope to have it in its permanent spot in a week or so.
JSC01 Member
Posts: 84 From: Houston, Texas, USA Registered: Nov 2011
posted 06-23-2016 04:17 PM
I'll be driving I-10 in July, can't wait to check out the final display. Hopefully a restoration and covering so the stage will last many years. And please light it up at night!
astroborg Member
Posts: 200 From: Woodbridge, VA, USA Registered: Nov 2000
posted 06-24-2016 08:15 PM
The link for donations toward completing the restoration of the Apollo 19 S-IC is here.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-14-2016 12:59 PM
A couple of new photos showing the Saturn V S-IC in its place alongside the INFINITY Science Center. The first courtesy of the center itself:
The second by Fred Karst (cS: GACspaceguy), who was at the center on Tuesday (Sept. 13):
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 11-02-2016 07:34 PM
From the INFINITY Science Center:
We are one step closer to providing visitor sidewalk access to the Apollo 19 Saturn V first stage. Soon, you'll be able to take your steps around this magnificent piece of American space history.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-30-2016 11:00 PM
From Fred Haise on Facebook, a look at the progress being made on the sidewalks surrounding the S-IC.
posted 01-22-2019 01:17 PM
Any more news on how the restoration is going?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-22-2019 01:35 PM
To my knowledge, the Infinity Science Center is still fundraising for the construction of a glassed-in enclosure before beginning the restoration of the stage.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-20-2019 06:29 PM
From the Infinity Science Center on Facebook:
Crews started on a fresh new paint job for the Apollo 19 Saturn V first stage today [May 20]. Getting all spruced up for summer!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-16-2019 11:06 AM
From the Infinity Science Center on Facebook:
This weekend, INFINITY partnered with PPG for their Colorful Communities initiative to paint the Apollo 19 Saturn V S-1C. Three years ago, the mighty Saturn V booster began its journey from Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to INFINITY, so that it may continue to tell the unforgettable Apollo story and inspire the next generation of explorers to reach new limits.
Apollo 13 LMP and would-be Commander of the cancelled Apollo 19 mission Fred Haise even helped apply a fresh coat of white paint to this priceless artifact of American space history. Volunteer crews painted the carrier vehicle "Safety Blue."
Thank you to PPG for their generous donation of nearly 105 gallons of specialized paint products from their protective and marine coating division for the restoration. This is history restored.
posted 10-15-2015 08:28 PM
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