Saturn V rocket specifications
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Saturn V Rocket Dimensions and Overall Structure
The Saturn V rocket was the largest and most powerful launch vehicle ever built, standing approximately 363 to 364 feet tall, which is about 36 stories high, and including an 80-foot payload section at the top 14. The total weight at liftoff, including the Apollo spacecraft, was about 6,100,000 pounds . The rocket was composed of three main stages (S-IC, S-II, and S-IVB), the Apollo spacecraft, and an instrument unit .
First Stage (S-IC) Specifications and Technologies
The first stage, known as the S-IC, was responsible for the initial liftoff and ascent. It was powered by five F-1 engines, each producing over 1.5 million pounds of thrust, for a combined total of 7,500,000 pounds of thrust 16. The engines used RP-1 (kerosene) as fuel and liquid oxygen as the oxidizer, burning 1,359,000 pounds of kerosene and 3,133,000 pounds of liquid oxygen during its 2.5-minute burn 16. The fully loaded S-IC stage weighed 4,792,000 pounds and propelled the rocket to an altitude of 200,000 feet at a speed of 6,000 mph . The S-IC stage also featured advanced subsystems such as engine purge, POGO suppression, hydraulic and pneumatic controls, propellant dispersion, telemetry, and retrorocket systems 23.
Second Stage (S-II) Performance
The second stage, S-II, took over at 200,000 feet and used five J-2 engines to provide over 1,000,000 pounds of thrust . This stage weighed 1,037,000 pounds when fully loaded and operated for about 6 minutes, boosting the vehicle to 606,000 feet and increasing its velocity to 15,300 mph .
Third Stage (S-IVB) and Earth Orbit Insertion
The third stage, S-IVB, was powered by a single J-2 engine. It operated for 2.75 minutes to place the vehicle into a low Earth orbit at 115 miles altitude and a speed of 17,500 mph . Later, the S-IVB fired again for 5.2 minutes to achieve translunar injection, increasing the vehicle’s velocity to 24,500 mph .
Payload and Instrumentation
The Apollo spacecraft, which included the command, service, and lunar modules, weighed about 95,000 pounds . The instrument unit, which provided guidance and control, weighed 4,500 pounds .
Manufacturing, Testing, and Reliability
The Saturn V was developed rapidly in the 1960s, with its stages and engines manufactured and tested at various facilities across the United States . The F-1 and J-2 engines were built by Rocketdyne, and the rocket stages were produced by Boeing, North American Aviation, and Douglas Company . Despite numerous technical challenges, including engine failures and material issues during development, the Saturn V never failed in any of its flights .
Conclusion
The Saturn V rocket was a technological marvel, featuring a three-stage design, powerful F-1 and J-2 engines, and advanced control systems. Its massive size, thrust, and payload capacity enabled the Apollo missions to reach the Moon, and its legacy continues to influence modern rocket development 123456.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic