# Saturn V Launch Vehicle

> preserved rocket at Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, USA

**Wikidata**: [Q110002212](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110002212)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saturn-v-launch-vehicle

## Summary
The Saturn V Launch Vehicle is a preserved example of the American human-rated rocket that played a pivotal role in NASA's Apollo program, including the first Moon landing. This specific vehicle is displayed at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, and is recognized as a National Register of Historic Places site. It represents the only Saturn V rocket with all three original stages intact.

## Key Facts
- **Preserved Location**: Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, USA (coordinates: 29.5545° N, -95.0942° W).
- **Heritage Designation**: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP #02001731) since February 4, 2003, under criteria A (association with historical events) and C (embodiment of architectural/engineering skills).
- **Historic Significance**: One of three surviving Saturn V rockets and the only one with all flight-ready stages.
- **Display Context**: Part of Space Center Houston’s exhibits, mounted vertically to simulate a launch-ready position.
- **Technical Classification**: Member of the Saturn V class, the most powerful rocket ever built (as of its operational period, 1967–1973).

## FAQs
### Q: Where is the preserved Saturn V Launch Vehicle located?
A: It is housed at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, USA, and is a key exhibit at Space Center Houston.

### Q: Why is this Saturn V rocket historically significant?
A: It is the only surviving Saturn V with all three original stages intact and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its role in the Apollo program.

### Q: Was this specific Saturn V rocket used in a mission?
A: No, this vehicle (SA-514) was a test unit and not flown. It was repurposed for display after the Apollo program ended.

## Why It Matters
The Saturn V Launch Vehicle at Johnson Space Center is a monumental artifact of 20th-century space exploration. As the only fully intact example of the rocket that sent astronauts to the Moon, it symbolizes the engineering prowess and national achievement of the Apollo era. Its preservation and public display ensure accessibility for education and inspiration, while its NRHP designation underscores its cultural and historical value. This vehicle serves as a tangible link to the technological advancements that defined the Space Race, reminding visitors of the scale and complexity required to accomplish lunar missions.

## Notable For
- **Uniqueness**: The only preserved Saturn V with all original stages (S-IC, S-II, S-IVB).
- **Display Innovation**: Mounted vertically to replicate its launch configuration, requiring custom support structures.
- **Historic Recognition**: One of few space artifacts listed on the National Register of Historic Places, bridging spaceflight history with preservation efforts.

## Body
### Location and Display
The Saturn V Launch Vehicle is permanently exhibited at Space Center Houston, the official visitor center of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. It is situated at 29.5545° N, -95.0942° W, mounted vertically in a dedicated exhibit hall. The display required engineering adaptations to support the rocket’s weight and height (36 stories tall).

### Heritage Status
- **National Register Listing**: Added on February 4, 2003 (NRHP #02001731), recognizing its association with the Apollo program (criterion A) and its embodiment of 1960s aerospace engineering (criterion C).
- **State Recognition**: Documented in the Texas Historic Sites Atlas (ID 2002001731).

### Technical Specifications
- **Rocket Class**: Saturn V (SA-514), a human-rated heavy-lift launch vehicle.
- **Stages**: Comprises all three original stages (S-IC first stage, S-II second stage, S-IVB third stage), though it was not flight-certified.
- **Display Modifications**: The command and lunar modules mounted atop the rocket are replicas, added for interpretive completeness.

### Historical Context
This vehicle was originally intended for Apollo 19, a canceled mission. After the Apollo program’s conclusion, it was transferred to NASA’s surplus inventory and later selected for preservation. Its restoration and display were collaborative efforts involving NASA, the Smithsonian Institution, and private donors.

## References

1. [Texas Historic Sites Atlas](https://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/Details/2002001731)
2. Weekly List 2/14/03