The Saturn V was a family of rockets used by NASA for its Apollo and Skylab programs.
There were a total of 13 Saturn V rockets launched, but not all of them were used for crewed missions, and three additional rockets were built and not launched for various reasons and two test rockets were also built and never launched.
These unused Saturn V rockets are on public display in the United States. These Saturn V rockets are on display at the following locations:
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida:
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is one of the most well-known places to see a Saturn V rocket.
The Kennedy Space Center has a fully assembled Saturn V rocket (which is actually made up of two different rockets) on display in the Apollo/Saturn V Center. It’s an impressive sight and offers a comprehensive experience of the Apollo program.
This Saturn V rocket consists of the second and third stage of the Saturn V SA-514 rocket (rockets were made up of three stages, or sections, which all performed different functions) and the first stage of the Saturn V 500F rocket.
The Saturn V SA-514 rocket was intended to be used for the Apollo 18 or Apollo 19 missions but those missions were cancelled due to budget cuts and the Saturn V 500F rocket was a sort of testing vehicle used to test facilities operation on Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center before a flight model was built.
Also on display at the space center is the Apollo 14 capsule, the Sigma 7 capsule from the Mercury program, the Space Shuttle Atlantis and wreckage from the Space Shuttles Columbia and Challenger.
The Kennedy Space Center also offers guided tours of the space center and the opportunity for visitors to touch a moon rock that was brought back from one of the Apollo missions.
Space Center Houston in Houston, Texas:
One fully assembled Saturn V rocket is on display at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center at Space Center Houston, although the rocket is made up of three different stages from three different rockets.
This Saturn V rocket consists of the first stage of the Saturn V SA-514 rocket, the second stage of the Saturn V SA-515 rocket and the third stage of the Saturn V SA-513 rocket.
The Saturn V SA-513 was intended to be used in the Apollo 18 mission but that mission was cancelled. Although the first and second stages of the Saturn V SA-513 were later used to launch Skylab space station in 1973, since the Skylab launches only used the first two rocket stages this third stage ended up being unused.
The Saturn V SA-514 was also intended to be used in the Apollo 18 or Apollo 19 missions but those missions were later cancelled.
The Saturn V SA-515 rocket was intended to be used in the Apollo 20 mission but that mission was also cancelled and the rocket was later retasked as the backup launcher for the Skylab space station but was never used. The SA-515 rocket was retired in the late 1970s and put on display.
Also on display at the space center is the Apollo 17 capsule, the Gemini 5 capsule and the Faith 7 capsule from the Mercury program.
Space Center Houston also offers guided tours and educational programs that allow visitors to learn more about the history of space exploration, the Apollo program, and NASA’s ongoing missions.
U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama:
One Saturn V rocket is on display in the Davidson Center for Space Exploration at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
The USSRC Saturn V 500D is often referred to as the “Saturn V 500D” or simply “Saturn V Dynamic Test Vehicle.” This Saturn V rocket serves as an educational exhibit to help visitors learn about the Saturn V and the Apollo program.
The Saturn V 500D measures 363 feet long and is a non-flight vehicle, meaning it was not used for any manned space missions. Instead, it was constructed for testing and educational purposes.
This Saturn V rocket was specifically built for dynamic testing, which involved subjecting the rocket to vibrations and stresses similar to those experienced during a real launch. These tests helped ensure the structural integrity and safety of the Saturn V.
While it doesn’t contain live rocket engines or fuel, the Saturn V 500D serves as an educational exhibit. Visitors can see the detailed markings, coloration, and NASA insignias on the exterior, which provide an authentic representation of a Saturn V rocket.
The USSRC Saturn V 500D is a valuable resource for teaching visitors about the Saturn V and the efforts that went into the Apollo program. While it didn’t fly into space, it represents a key part of space exploration history and the technological achievements of NASA during the Apollo era.
Also on display at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center is the Apollo 16 capsule.
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center offers guided tours of the center, educational programs, and special events centered around the Saturn V 500D.
Infinity Science Center in Mississippi:
One Saturn V rocket is on display at the Infinity Science Center which is is a science and education center located in Pearlington, Mississippi.
This rocket is the first stage of the Saturn V SA-515 which was intended to be used in the Apollo 20 mission but the mission was cancelled due to budget cuts.
The SA-515 rocket was later retired in the late 1970s and put on display. This first stage of the rocket was originally put on display at the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans until it was later moved to the Infinity Science Center in 2016.
The other two stages of this rocket are on display at Space Center Houston in Texas and the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.
National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.:
One Saturn V rocket is on display at the National Air and Space Museum which is a Smithsonian museum dedicated to the history and exploration of aviation, spaceflight, and related sciences.
This rocket is the third stage of the Saturn V SA-515 which was intended to be used in the Apollo 20 mission. The SA-515 rocket was retired in the late 1970s and put on display.
The other two stages of the rocket are on display at Space Center Houston in Texas and the Infinity Science Center in Mississippi.
Also on display at the National Air and Space Museum is the the Apollo 11 capsule and the Gemini 7 capsule.
Sources:
“The ‘Business End’ of the Saturn V.” Infinity Science Center, visitinfinity.com/saturn-v-s-1c-booster/
“Apollo 19 Saturn V stage arrives at Infinity Science Center for display.” Collect Space, collectspace.com/news/news-062116a-saturn-rocket-stage-infinity.html
“Discover the Saturn V Rocket at the Kennedy Space Center.” Kennedy Space Center, kennedyspacecenter-tickets.com/saturn-v-rocket/
“Rocket, Liquid Fuel, Launch Vehicle, Saturn V, with Transporter.” National Air and Space Musuem, airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/rocket-liquid-fuel-launch-vehicle-saturn-v-with-transporter/nasm_A19780111000
“The Saturn Rocket Survivors.” John A. Weeks, johnweeks.com/spacecraft/saturn.html
Howell, Elizabeth. “Where Are NASA’s Extra Saturn V Moon Rockets from the Apollo Era?” Space.com, 29 April. 2022, space.com/nasa-extra-apollo-moon-saturn-v-rockets.html
“Saturn V at George W.S. Abbey Rocket Park.” Space Center Houston, spacecenter.org/exhibits-and-experiences/nasa-tram-tour/saturn-v-at-rocket-park/
“Saturn V Hall.” U.S. Space and Rocket Center, rocketcenter.com/SaturnVHall
“Saturn V Rocket.” Kennedy Space Center, kennedyspacecenter.com/explore-attractions/race-to-the-moon/featured-attraction/saturn-v-rocket
