DSC-RX100M3
ƒ/2.8
8.8 mm
1/50
125

The S-IVB was the third stage on the Saturn V and second stage on the Saturn IB launch vehicles. Built by the Douglas Aircraft Company, it had one J-2 rocket engine. For lunar missions it was fired twice: first for Earth orbit insertion, and then for translunar injection (TLI).

Heroicrelics posted a good summary of the helium system that kept the liquid oxygen (LOX) tank pressurized: “While the S-IVB’s J-2 engine fired, the LOX tank pressure was maintained by cold helium spheres located in the liquid hydrogen (LH2) tank: Helium from the spheres was expanded by the J-2’s heat exchanger, after which it was routed to the LOX tank. The LH2 tank was pressurized by drawing gaseous hydrogen directly from the engine.”

On this control panel, there is a “KSC Operational Check” sticker on each pressure gauge. They appear to say that the next check is “ASTP” the famous Apollo Soyuz Test Project that ended the space race. I am still researching this artifact and would appreciate any perspectives others might have.

An artifact from the Future Ventures’ 🚀 Space Collection, soon to been on loan to SETI for their new HQ.

One response to “NASA KSC Helium Control Panel for the Saturn Rocket”

  1. Backside. Top sticker says it was last inspected 4/1/69Bottom left sticker shows 1972 modifications: and again 12/4/72 (three days before Apollo 17):

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