The interior of the flame deflector.

Picture 4 of 4.

This photo is of the top of the deflector.

The rocket exhaust would have entered the flame deflector at center. The test stand was originally equipped with a rolling work platform which extended to rest under the engine's mount, allowing engineers to prepare the engine for firing. It rolled back during tests, exposing the hole to the flame deflector.

I'm not certain whether this original work platform was still in place when this photo was taken or whether a different safety platform was used.

The hole measures 28 feet across, from one truncated corner to another.

Time picture taken	Wed Mar 18 09:49:28 2009
Location picture taken	Around F-1 Test Stand West Test Area Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, Alabama
Photo Credit	Marshall Space Flight Center
Full-size Image	Click here for a 1029x684 pixel version of this diagram in a new window.