1 Images

This is a set of four matching prototype Block 1 Saturn I Hold-Down Arms used to restrain the giant launch vehicle after its ignition until sufficient thrust had been reached for lift-off. They are shown around the Saturn 1 Block 1 development version of the Saturn 1. Later, eight hold-down arms were used on the operational Saturn 1 vehicle. The prototype arms were developed at the Marshall Space Flight Center. The first time the complete eight Saturn 1 arms were used perationally was during the launch of the first Saturn 1 (SA-1) from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 27 October 1961. The arms shown here were transferred to the Smithsonian from the NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center in 1980.

Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.

Object Details

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

PROPULSION-Miscellaneous

Manufacturer

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

Dimensions

Overall: 344.17 x 182.88 x 157.48cm (11ft 3 1/2in. x 6ft x 5ft 2in.)

Materials

Overall, steel; aluminum clasps on panels on outside, or sloping wall of each holdown arm.

Inventory Number

A19800171000

Credit Line

Transferred from NASA-Marshall Space Flight Center

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use.