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Author
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Topic: Engine that almost flew on Apollo 8 found
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-22-2008 10:03 AM
   
collectSPACE: Engine That Almost Launched Apollo 8 Found 40 Years Later The Saturn V rocket used to launch their adventure has long since vanished, having served its purpose, although the third stage continues to travel unseen in heliocentric orbit about the Sun. All that remains of their journey is the command module, on display at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Illinois.There exists however another component that was almost part of the Apollo 8 launch vehicle. Lost in plain sight for years, it was recently rediscovered just in time for Apollo 8's 40th anniversary. Many thanks to cS'ers Alan Lawrie and Mike Jetzer for sharing their discovery! |
dtemple
Member Posts: 729
From: Longview, Texas, USA
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 12-22-2008 03:36 PM
That engine should be on display inside a building - perhaps at the Saturn V Center - protected from the elements. |
Mr Meek
Member Posts: 353
From: Chattanooga, TN
Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 12-22-2008 03:55 PM
Well, there's already a F-1 on display in the Davidson Center. There is another F-1 outside in the Rocket Garden.Not surprisingly, MSFC and the USSRC have no lack of engines hanging around.  Really neat story, Robert. |
mikej
Member Posts: 481
From: Germantown, WI USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 12-22-2008 07:55 PM
No lack of engines, indeed!Outside of Building 4200 (MSFC Headquarters), there's an F-1, J-2, and SSME. By the Static Test Tower, there's an F-1 and an H-1. And, as noted in the story, there's an F-1 at Building 4205. It's interesting that NASA's RFI states that "SSMEs may not be displayed outdoors." In addition to the SSME in front of Bldg. 4200, it looks like there's part of one behind the fence at Bldg. 4205. |
Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 12-22-2008 09:17 PM
Geeezzz, reading about all of these engines laying around MSFC, and the recent story of the Skylab mockup, I cant help but think of a Jeff Foxworthy joke. If you mow the front lawn and find a couple of cars, you might be a redneck...If you mow the back 40 and find a Saturn V F-1 rocket engine, you might be a... |
Mr Meek
Member Posts: 353
From: Chattanooga, TN
Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 12-22-2008 09:55 PM
Yes, nothing but rednecks and rocket scientists south of the Mason-Dixon.  So, Mike, how did you get the tour? I remember the good old days when the USSRC ran the tour as part of museum admission. |
mikej
Member Posts: 481
From: Germantown, WI USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 12-22-2008 10:20 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Aztecdoug:
If you mow the back 40 and find a Saturn V F-1 rocket engine, you might be a...
I once saw a groundskeeper at KSC mow the lawn and find an entire Saturn IB! |
mikej
Member Posts: 481
From: Germantown, WI USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 12-22-2008 10:33 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Meek:
So, Mike, how did you get the tour? I remember the good old days when the USSRC ran the tour as part of museum admission.
I didn't start visiting space artifacts until after 9/11, so I never got to take that tour. However, my wife and I met Konrad and Jackie Dannenberg last summer when the USSRC moved their Saturn V into the Davidson Center. Konrad and Jackie celebrated an anniversary in October with a number of activities, including a tour of Marshall. |
NASA Videographer
Member Posts: 46
From: Huntsville, Alabama
Registered: Dec 2008
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posted 12-28-2008 04:30 PM
I read the article about the F-1 engine F-4023 and had to laugh! I work at Marshall and took some pics of this very engine back in August. Curiosity got the better of me and I just had to stop to see it... I never thought about contacting Alan Lawrie!I have attached a few more pics of F-4023 as well as some other engines I have run across here at MSFC. One is an X-33 Aerospike engine, 4 J-2's and a whole bunch of Fastrac engines that were going to be used with the X-34, now being "stored" outside behind a barbed wire fence. I always keep my eyes peeled for interesting things around Marshall... I hear that there is a "boneyard" somewhere at Marshall. I bet there are some interesting and historical items out there!  
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NASA Videographer
Member Posts: 46
From: Huntsville, Alabama
Registered: Dec 2008
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posted 12-28-2008 04:30 PM
 
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Mr Meek
Member Posts: 353
From: Chattanooga, TN
Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 12-29-2008 10:47 AM
Re: Marshall's boneyard -I've heard that as well. Not sure what would still be around there, since many of the USSRC displays originated from MSFC, and there's the rocket park at Marshall. I have an uncle that works at Marshall as well (in the Shuttle Propulsion Office) who might have a better answer. If I had thought about it, I would've asked him at Christmas. Oh well. |
AlanLawrie
Member Posts: 95
From: hitchin, herts, UK
Registered: Oct 2003
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posted 12-29-2008 01:51 PM
I had a look around the boneyard at MSFC earlier this year. Unfortunately there is very little of interest left, except for a few mock ups. Apparently there was a lot of stuff but a previous official requested that the boneyard be cleared out. |
mikej
Member Posts: 481
From: Germantown, WI USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 10-22-2009 01:34 PM
F-4023 was recently placed on permanent display at Marshall Space Flight Center. |
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