|
Saturn IB |
 |
The Saturn IB is the follow-up to the Saturn I rocket, and it was designed to
test the Apollo spacecraft in earth orbit. It is more powerful than the Saturn
I, with an improved first stage (the new Saturn IB has uprated engines, and
produces more thrust) and a new second stage. The S-IVB second stage uses just a
single engine, the Rocketdyne J-2 - but this one engine provides 2.5 times the
thrust of the six RL-10s found on the Saturn I's second stage. This rocket also
has a Instrument Unit. This ring (in the photo above, the black band to
the right of the red "USA" marking) was placed above the S-IVB second
stage, and contained the inertial guidance equipment for the booster.
The
Saturn IB was first launched on February 26, 1966, in unmanned mission AS-201.
Though overshadowed by the mighty Saturn V, the Saturn IB also saw service in
manned missions: Apollo 7 and the Skylab missions used Saturn IBs.
| Saturn IB
specifications and performance |
| Length |
224 ft. |
Diameter |
21 ft., 8 in. |
| Stage |
Stage name |
Engine(s) |
Propellant(s) |
Thrust |
| 1 |
Saturn IB |
8 Rocketdyne H-1B |
LOX, RP-1 |
1.64 million lbs. |
| 2 |
Saturn IVB |
1 Rocketdyne J-2 |
LOX, LH2 |
225,000 lbs. |
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