NASA Study Summary: Dock Launch of Solid Propellant Saturn IB

Here's a short one... from a 1966 study on innovative cost-cutting ways to handle large 260 inch monolithic SRMs used to replace the Saturn IB first stage, using docks and barges at a new launch site located adjacent to LC-39.

Here's the study below... relevant pics to follow.

Later! OL JR

View attachment NASA study summary- Dock Launch Solid Saturn IB.txt

Ok... the first pic is the solid propellant Saturn IB-5A vehicle. It's 281 feet 10 inches tall, and has a solid propellant first stage 260 inches in diameter (same as the S-IVB stage and S-IB stage it replaced) that's 137 feet 5 inches tall, and EXTREMELY heavy. Thus the point of the study...



The second pic is the site plan with an overlay of pressure gradients and acoustic levels. It would be nestled in near 34 and 37 close to the water for access by the barges carrying the SRMs and crawler access from 39.



The third pic is showing the sequence of events for transporting and erecting the SRM at the launch pad, utilizing a barge for transport from a nearby casting factory that would manufacture the SRMs.



The fourth pic is showing the continuation of the sequence of integrating the vehicle.



The fifth pic shows the last of the sequence of preparing the vehicle for launch.



That's it for this one!

Later! OL JR