Lakeland Central School District Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School, Yorktown Heights, New York A Tribute to Space Exploration: Past, Present, Future

Saturn V Rockets

It once seemed like simple science fiction for people to ponder (think about) life existing on other planets. The idea of exploring space was something that was the basis for a great sci-fi story. When Robert Goddard read “War of the Worlds” he became inspired to create a vehicle that would bring humans to space. His original design led to the first fleet of rockets that sent human to space. The first rockets launched to space were constructed during the Mercury Program (the Redstone and Atlas). These vehicles helped us learn how humans could leave Earth’s orbit and come home safely. After this milestone, a new rocket took us to the Moon: The Saturn V (five). The most powerful rocket to date, the Saturn V was as tall a 33- story building, and when placed on its side measures 364 feet long. The Saturn V rocket was an extension of Goddard’s original design (the liquid-fueled rocket). A man named Wernher von Braun designed the first Saturn V with the cooperation of IBM, Boeing (they design airplanes as well), and Douglas Aircraft Company. It was developed to launch the Apollo missions to the Moon. The Saturn V was a multistage rocket. Multistage means that it has several stages, or sections. The Saturn V had three stages: the top stage carried three vehicles used for landing astronauts on the Moon. They were the Lunar Module, which was used to land astronauts on the Moon; the service module, which carried important supplies for the astronauts, such as oxygen, water and electrical power sources; and the Command Module whereby the astronauts directed the mission and kept in contact with mission control in Houston, Texas. The remaining two-thirds of the rocket carried fuel. The two stages on the bottom had a special job, which was to help the vehicle burst through Earth’s atmosphere. The stages then fell back to Earth and landed in the ocean. They were retrieved (captured) by NASA, and transported back to Kennedy Space Center. In addition to the thirteen Saturn V launches that occurred between1967 and 1973, (which were basically most of the Apollo missions), the Saturn V was also responsible for the launch of Skylab. Skylab was the first American space station, which was used in 1973-1974. Skylab was launched by a two-stage Saturn V rocket, unlike the other trips to space that used the three-stage vehicle. All great things must come to an end. The Saturn V was retired after the cancellation of the Apollo missions. This incredible piece of engineering, science, and technology created many milestones in the history of space exploration. Kennedy Space Center in Florida displays the rocket on its side so that all who visit can appreciate its magnificence.

Verrino/Sommovigo