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Launch of SA-1

The headshot image of NASA

NASA

Oct 27, 2014
Image Article
On October 27, 1961, the SA-1 mission was launched for Cape Canaveral, Florida, testing the S-1 stage propulsion, verifying the
On October 27, 1961, the SA-1 mission was launched for Cape Canaveral, Florida, testing the S-1 stage propulsion, verifying the structure and aerodynamics of the Saturn I launch vehicle.

On October 27, 1961, the SA-1 mission was launched for Cape Canaveral, Florida, testing the S-1 stage propulsion, verifying the structure and aerodynamics of the Saturn I launch vehicle, and demonstrating the validity of the clustered-engines concept. The payload for the vehicle was a dummy second stage ballasted with 11,000 gallons of water and a dummy third stage ballasted with 12,000 additional gallons of water. This night photograph depicts the SA-1 booster (Saturn I S-I stage) being removed from the test stand after the first flight qualification testing at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center held overall design and development responsibilities of the Saturn I.

Image credit: NASA/MSFC