The Saturn I history in Space Flight, a space Odyssey

---------------------------------Saturn I🇺🇸-------------------------------

It’s 1957, the DoD, (Department of Defense) requests a new class of launch vehicule for launching new communication and “other” (presumably spy ) satellites . It haves to propulse
20,000 to 40,000 pounds to the orbit and 13.200 to 26000 pounds towards the Trans lunar injection.

In April, 1957 Wernher Von Braun’s team at ABMA ( Army Ballistic Missile Agency) started working.

They calculated that, the rocket will need 1.5 millions pound force to meet the requirements. A premier in history. The only way to propulse a rocket of that type into space is to have an engine. They were already working into the mighty F-1 engine, however, the deadline for the project was too short. They found out that the only possible solution was to use an E-1 engine produced by Rocketdyne® . They selected this option as the best one, with 4 engines. Somehow later, the H-1 engines were discovered as a better solution and keeped. (With 8 engines this time)

Afterwards, they opted for a nine tanks rocket that will stock the propellant. One Central tank surrounded by the 8 others.

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First model of an Saturn Rocket, at the ABMA testing facility. You can clearly see the 8 engines.

Transferring to NASA

On July 29th 1958, NASA is created. Immediately afterwards, they collected all the heavy rockets existing to start gaining experience and launches. Von Braun was asked to chair a committee to study the existing efforts and write up recommendations. They wrote and released their writings on July 1958 . They received a lot of criticism at first, because of the advanced Sovietic in term of rocketry and achievings.

Of course afterward, the Saturn Project was kept, as you know, with the mighty succession towards Saturn V , of the Apollo program.

Almost Cancelled?

The Saturn Project was going smoothly. On April 1959 , the H-1 engines were rocketing at ABMA facilities. The first ever Saturn I was even beginning construction at Cape Canaveral Complex 34.
Then, on June 9, 1959 Herbert York, the director of DoD research and engineering, decided to stop the Saturn Program because it was “taking ABMA money from others pressing projects”. Effectively, on the parallel, the Air Force was working into a new rocket, the “Dynosoar” using upgraded Titan engines . It was only on the paper! Nothing other was still made and they cancelled Braun’s team work!
However, Dod, ABMA and Von Braun’s team drafted their own memo arguing , thar neither DoD or NASA had any written on paper decision .

Three meeting followed , Engineers, scientifics battled for the survive of Saturn’s project. The problem was that NASA didn’t want to rely on third parties to exist. Decision was made that all the Braun’s team at ABMA will continue to work, under the NASA management. They officially became NASA’S George C. Marshalls Space Flight Center!! (Still active today) !!

We Are Flying!

On October 27, 1961 is the first ever flight of an Saturn I rocket, marking the history of spaceflight as it leads the Saturn Project towards Saturn V, Apollo.

There was an entire of 10 Saturn I flights, from 1961-1965. Each one played an key role in the Space advancement and knowledge. Including the J-2 engine that played a major role in the development and upgrading of the F-1 engine

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Wernher Von Braun and John Fitzgerald Kennedy at Cape Canaveral during the Saturn I third flight.

On behalf of all of us here on the IFC

Thank you Saturn I !

Photos source : Saturn I - Wikipedia

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Thanks for sharing! I’ve always been curious about NASA topics

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You’re welcome, it’s surely an amazing topic to deal with

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What a nice thread! I will rebuild this rocket in KSP

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Thank you, it took 1H but I’m passionate so no problem. And yes definitely try to remake it there, it’s a nice experience.

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Great topic! I find this really interesting. I’m sure you know this, but Von Braun was a notorious member of the Allgemeine SS (a Nazi paramilitary group) and was a high profile figure in the development of missiles for the Nazi party. After the war he basically flipped sides and started working on missiles for the US. It seems like a United States President, especially only a couple of decades after the end of WWII would not want to fraternize with such controversial figures.

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Yes, it’s iconic!

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Let me know if you learnt anything! I’m curious