Saturn V S-IVB (Third) Stage

The Saturn V's S-IVB stage was located in the museum's Rocket Park from June 28, 1969 (the day it was transferred from Marshall Space Flight Center) until July 10, 2007 (the day it was moved behind the Davidson Center for Space Exploration for temporary storage while the S-IC and S-II were being relocated into the DCSE; it joined them several days later).

This particular S-IVB stage is the S-IVB-D stage, used for dynamic testing conducted in Marshall's Dynamic Test Stand. This stage was initially used for dynamic testing of the Saturn IB configuration and was converted to the Saturn V vehicle configuration upon completion of the Saturn IB dynamic tests. Oddly, although it was fitted with dummy masses representing Saturn V-style APS modules for its role in the Saturn V dynamic testing, it is now fitted with Saturn IB-style APS units. These APS modules do appear to be either flight-type Saturn IB APS modules or high-fidelity mockups, so perhaps the folks overseeing the preparations for exhibit thought that authentic Saturn IB-type APS modules were better than the Saturn V dummy masses.

Additional information regarding this stage is available in DS-2728, Model Specification, Saturn S-IVB-D Stage [direct link to 622K PDF].

It's hard to believe, but I only saw the Saturn V in the Rocket Park over the course of three summers (2002-2004) before restoration work began and the rocket was subsequently relocated. These photos were taken before I really planned out the photos I took, leaving me to impose method on the madness after the fact and try to arrange the photos in a logical presentation.

I have so many pictures of the Saturn V in the Rocket Park that I divided them by stages: the S-IC (first) stage, the S-II (second) stage, the S-IVB (third) stage, and the Command/Service Module (CSM) and Spacecraft Lunar Module Adapter (SLA). I also have some overall shots of the Saturn V in the Rocket Park as well.

I additionally have photos of this stage in its current home in the Davidson Center, as well as photos from 2005 through 2007 as the stage was undergoing restoration and relocation.

This stage is Smithsonian catalog #A19750677000.

Also see my S-IVB-related resources.