Prev heroicrelics.org
U.S. Space and Rocket Center Site Index
Saturn V S-IVB (Third) Stage (Davidson Center) Gallery
Next

dsc71925.jpg

View of the ambient helium spheres on the stage's thrust structure.

Picture 1 of 3.

The ambient helium spheres were used for stage repressurization after the S-IVB inserted the Apollo spacecraft into Earth orbit and before the translunar injection burn.

This stage was not manufactured as a flight article, but rather as the dynamic test stage. It was fitted with dummy mass simulators rather than actual helium spheres. I am uncertain what these helium spheres are or why they are mounted in a substantially different method than on the flight article.

 
Ambient helium spheres on Saturn V S-IVB (Third) Stage (Davidson Center) thrust structure at U.S. Space and Rocket Center
Time picture taken Sun Nov 8 15:05:34 2009
Location picture taken Saturn V Hall
Davidson Center for Space Exploration
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Huntsville, AL
Prev Saturn V S-IVB (Third) Stage (Davidson Center) Gallery Next