Will We Ever See Any of the Original Saturn Vs Launch Again?

The original Saturn V rockets, which played a pivotal role in the Apollo Program and Skylab missions from the 1960s to the early 1970s, hold a special place in the annals of space exploration. These remarkable vessels are no longer operational and cannot be launched again due to their age and the fact that all of them have either been preserved in museums or remain at their points of construction as static displays. Yet, their legacy continues to inspire not only NASA but also private companies like SpaceX in their pursuit of modern space exploration.

The Current Status of Saturn Vs Rockets

Several Saturn V rockets are currently on display in various museums, allowing the public to witness these engineering marvels up close. For instance, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida houses a fully restored Saturn V on display. Similarly, the Space Center Houston in Texas and the U.S. Space Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, also feature Saturn V rockets as part of their exhibits.

The Original Rockets and Their Fate

Only 17 Saturn V rockets were built in total. These included three test vehicles: the SA-500F, SA-500D, and S-IC-T. These vehicles, or parts of them, are currently on display at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and the U.S. Space Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Additionally, 11 more were used during the Apollo missions, and one was used to launch Skylab. The remaining two Saturn V rockets were originally intended for Apollo 18 or 19, which were ultimately cancelled.

Deconstruction and Display

The first stage of the Saturn V that was originally destined for Apollo 18 or 19 is now on display at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The second stage is displayed at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The third stage, which was converted to a backup for the Skylab orbital workshop, is now on view at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. A Saturn V intended for Apollo 20 was also cancelled, and a first stage from this mission is now at the INFINITY Space Center in Mississippi, with the second stage also at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Why Don’t We Reuse Them?

Given the historical significance of the Saturn V, it might seem tempting to attempt to relaunch one of these rockets. However, there are several reasons why this is impractical and unlikely:

1960s Technology

The Saturn V is a product of 1960s technology, which was cutting-edge at the time but is now hopelessly outdated. Attempting to bring back these rockets would be an inefficient use of resources. Modern rockets, such as the Space Launch System (SLS) and SpaceX’s Starship, are designed with the latest technological advancements and are capable of achieving similar goals of human spaceflight and exploration more effectively and efficiently.

Cost and Safety

Reusing these rockets would be both financially and logistically challenging. The cost of maintaining, inspecting, and preparing these rockets for launch would be prohibitively high. Additionally, these rockets were never designed for multiple launches, and attempting to do so would pose significant safety risks.

Replacing Saturn Vs: SLS and Starship

NASA and private companies like SpaceX have developed new rockets that can accomplish the same objectives as the Saturn V but with greater efficiency and reliability. The SLS is designed to carry heavy payloads into deep space and support future crewed missions to the Moon and Mars. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Starship is being developed to serve a wide range of space missions, including cargo and crew transport to the International Space Station (ISS) and eventually Mars.

Despite the historical and sentimental appeal of relaunching the original Saturn Vs, the practical realities and advancements in rocket technology make it clear that these rockets will not fly again. Instead, the legacy of the Saturn V serves as a reminder of humanity’s historic achievements in space exploration and inspires future generations to push the boundaries of what is possible in space travel.