The Saturn I Program, 1961-1965

[Webster]

Documentary about the Saturn I program, entirely based on historical narration and footage. Covers early development and all ten flights (SA-1 to SA-10), from 1961 to 1965.

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro
01:00 Origins
07:00 Saturn Project
10:17 Original Saturn I Configuration
19:45 Launch Complex 34 and 37
22:27 SA-1 (dummy 2nd and 3rd stages)
25:11 SA-2 (Project Highwater, dummy 2nd and 3rd stages)
27:20 SA-3 (Project Highwater, dummy 2nd and 3rd stages)
29:30 SA-4 (dummy 2nd and 3rd stages)
31:00 Saturn I Block II
35:09 SA-5 (live S-IV second stage)
37:03 SA-6 (Apollo Boilerplate 13)
40:43 SA-7 (Apollo Boilerplate 15)
42:09 SA-9 (Pegasus 1, Apollo Boilerplate 26)
44:40 SA-8 (Pegasus 2, Apollo Boilerplate 16)
46:05 SA-10 (Pegasus 3)
46:50 Program Conclusion

The footage was AI upscaled (Topaz AI) on some segments, besides the usual color correction. Ambient audio was recreated based on historical elements.
Sequences are shown in proper mission context as much as possible.

Historical narration (from post-flight presentation and mission commentary) is used in an attempt to capture the feeling of the times. Language and attitudes should be seen in that context.

Research, cleanup, editing, and processing by Retro Space HD.

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The Saturn I (pronounced "Saturn 1") was a rocket designed as the United States' first medium-lift launch vehicle for up to 20,000-pound (9,100 kg) low Earth orbit payloads. The rocket's first stage was built as a cluster of propellant tanks engineered from older rocket tank designs, leading critics to jokingly refer to it as "Cluster's Last Stand".

Its development was taken over from the Advanced Research Projects Agency in 1958 by the newly-formed civilian NASA. Its design proved sound and flexible. It was successful in initiating the development of liquid hydrogen-fueled rocket propulsion, launching the Pegasus satellites, and flight verification of the Apollo command and service module launch phase aerodynamics.

Ten Saturn I rockets were flown before it was replaced by the heavy-lift derivative Saturn IB, which used a larger, higher total impulse second stage and an improved guidance and control system. It also led the way to the development of the super-heavy lift Saturn V which carried the first men to landings on the Moon in the Apollo program.

President John F. Kennedy identified the Saturn I, and the SA-5 launch in particular, as being the point where US lift capability would surpass the Soviets, after being behind since Sputnik