Saturn C-3B
Saturn C-33B 3 Stage
Credit - © Mark Wade
Media Gallery
Orbital launch vehicle. Year: 1961. Family: Saturn C. Country: USA. Status: Study 1961.

Final configurtion of the Saturn C-3 at the time of selection of the Saturn C-5 configuration for the Apollo program in December 1961.

Manufacturer: Von Braun. LEO Payload: 78,000 kg (171,000 lb). to: 185 km Orbit. at: 28.00 degrees. Payload: 25,000 kg (55,000 lb). to a: Translunar trajectory. Liftoff Thrust: 20,010.000 kN (4,498,420 lbf). Total Mass: 1,690,590 kg (3,727,110 lb). Core Diameter: 10.06 m (33.00 ft). Total Length: 85.00 m (278.00 ft).


Stage Data - Saturn C-3B
  • Stage Number: 1. 1 x Stage: Saturn IC C-3B. Gross Mass: 1,160,787 kg (2,559,097 lb). Empty Mass: 72,549 kg (159,943 lb). Thrust (vac): 22,954.798 kN (5,160,444 lbf). Isp: 304 sec. Burn time: 140 sec. Isp(sl): 265 sec. Diameter: 10.06 m (33.00 ft). Span: 19.00 m (62.00 ft). Length: 34.41 m (112.89 ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 5. Engine: F-1. Status: Study 1961. Final first stage design of Saturn C-3 (November 1961).
  • Stage Number: 2. 1 x Stage: Saturn II C-5A. Gross Mass: 384,057 kg (846,700 lb). Empty Mass: 31,740 kg (69,970 lb). Thrust (vac): 4,446.648 kN (999,646 lbf). Isp: 420 sec. Burn time: 320 sec. Isp(sl): 200 sec. Diameter: 10.06 m (33.00 ft). Span: 10.06 m (33.00 ft). Length: 21.39 m (70.17 ft). Propellants: Lox/LH2. No Engines: 5. Engine: J-2. Status: Study 1961. Final common second stage design for Saturn C-3, C-4 and C-5 (November 1961). Developed into Saturn V second stage.
  • Stage Number: 3. 1 x Stage: Saturn IVB C-3B. Gross Mass: 52,144 kg (114,957 lb). Empty Mass: 6,801 kg (14,993 lb). Thrust (vac): 889.325 kN (199,928 lbf). Isp: 420 sec. Burn time: 207 sec. Isp(sl): 200 sec. Diameter: 5.59 m (18.33 ft). Span: 5.59 m (18.33 ft). Length: 15.40 m (50.50 ft). Propellants: Lox/LH2. No Engines: 1. Engine: J-2. Status: Study 1961. Final common third stage design for Saturn C-3B (November 1961).

Bibliography and Further Reading
  • Hostetter, Dave, "Personal communication", Drawings of final Saturn configuration from archives, Alabama Space and Rocket Center..
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Contact us with any corrections, additions, or comments.
Conditions for use of drawings, pictures, or other materials from this site..
To contact astronauts or cosmonauts.

© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2007 except where otherwise noted.

 
Encyclopedia Astronautica
topic index
0 - A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - Ra - Re - Sa - Sf - Sp - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z