Command Service Module (CSM-119)

Under the boilerplate Command Module atop the Saturn V sits Apollo Command/Service Module 119 (CSM-119). It is displayed with its forward heatshield (covering the Earth Landing System [ELS]), but without any EVA handrails. The CM is also outfitted with the silvery Kapton tape, used to help reflect the heat of the sun's rays. The tape pattern of CM-119 appears to be similar to the pattern of flight Command Modules.

One of three remaining unused Block II Command/Service Modules (the other two are CSM-105AV in the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project display at the National Air & Space Museum and CSM-115A atop the Saturn V at Johnson Space Center), this CSM served (along with Saturn IB SA-209) as the Skylab rescue vehicle. As such a rescue was never necessary, it remained unused and now rests in the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

See my "Inboard Profile - Apollo, Complete" diagram for additional information.

Before Barack Obama cancelled the Constellation program and the Orion spacecraft which would serve as the crew exploration vehicle, NASA technicians dissected the Command Module/Service Module umbilical to see how the connections had been made on Apollo and if any ideas could be gleaned for Orion.