S-IV


The S-IV was the second stage of the Saturn I rocket used by NASA for early flights in the Apollo program.
The S-IV was manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company and later modified by them to the S-IVB, a similar but distinct stage used on the Saturn IB and Saturn V rockets.
The S-IV stage was a large LOX/LH2-fueled rocket stage used for the early test flights of the Saturn I rocket. It formed the second stage of the Saturn I and was powered by a cluster of six RL-10A-3 engines. Each one of the engines supplied of thrust for a total of about. The cryogenic LH2 and LOX tanks were separated by a common bulkhead. The forward bulkhead of the LOX tank formed the aft bulkhead of the LH2 tank. This saved up to 20% of structural weight.

Flight history

Mission serial numberLaunch date ImageLaunch notes
SA-1October 27, 1961
15:06:04
SA-2April 25, 1962
14:00:34
SA-3November 16, 1962
17:45:02
SA-4March 28, 1963
20:11:55
SA-5January 29, 1964
16:25:01
SA-6May 28, 1964
17:07:00
SA-7September 18, 1964
16:22:43
SA-9February 16, 1965
14:37:03
SA-8May 25, 1965
07:35:01
SA-10July 30, 1965
13:00:00