SA-T (Static Test) Stage

The SA-T stage (sometimes also referred to as the S-I-T stage) was the static test stage. Pre-dating the NASA's stewardship of the Saturn program, this first of all Saturn stages was built by the the ABMA, in response to ARPA Order No. 14-59; it was also the first Saturn stage to be test fired.

This stage was reconfigured and test fired to simulate each of the four Block I Saturn stages which followed it, and was even fitted with Block II (188,000 pound thrust) engines to simulate the first Block II Saturn stage, SA-5.

All told, this stage was fired a total of 31 times between 28 March 1960 and 9 November 1962.

Google Maps link.

For additional pictures of Saturn I Block I hardware, see my page on the SA-D (Dynamic Test Vehicle).

See my page containing the Block I profile.