a_v_c_o_AKP (unnumbered MTF photo, no. '66-1443 eq)
A dramatic view of the A-2 Test Stand, Mississippi Test Facility (MTF), Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The Saturn V second stage all-systems test/dynamics test vehicle (S-II-T/D) can be seen surrounded by scaffolding & work platforms. The rims of at least three of the five Rocketdyne J-2 nozzles/thrust chambers can be seen along the lowest walkway/access platform, just above the row of three lights near the center of the photograph. Also, for scale, three gentlemen can be seen near the lower left-hand corner of the test stand, in front of the curving blast deflector segments.
The eventual destination beckons in the night sky.
The "border" within the image appears to be in the photo. No matter what light sources or angles I've applied, it does not appear to be removable.
An identical photo, bearing a stamped date of April 9, 1966, would then identify this photograph as being taken shortly before the first static test of the S-II-T. Per the online version of the “Saturn Illustrated Chronology - Part 7, January 1966 through December 1966”:
“On April 23 workmen at MTF successfully captive-fired for 15 seconds S-II-T, the Saturn V second stage all-systems test vehicle. This was the first test of a flight-weight S-II stage. The stage, largest and most powerful liquid oxygen-liquid hydrogen stage known, developed one million pounds of thrust from its five J-2 engines. This test also marked the first operational use of MTF.”
At:
history.nasa.gov/MHR-5/part-7.htm
Also…note this identifies the 23 April static firing as “the first operational use of the A-2 stand.”
At:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stennis_Space_Center
Credit: Wikipedia
In fact, both above assertions are true. The first operational A-2 Test Stand firing was also the first operational use of MTF...space history.
www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/pdf/428016main_FS-2010-02-00...
Finally, from the same NASA document cited above and pertinent to the S-II-T:
“Early in 1966 MSFC formally redesignated the S-II all-systems stage (S-II-T) as the all-systems test/dynamics test stage (S-II-T/D).”
As a true ‘first’- on two counts - the effort put forth in capturing this dramatic composition was merited.
The other photograph referenced:
www.vintagenasaphotographs.com/shop/rocket-testing-facili...
Credit: “VINTAGE NASA PHOTOGRAPHS” website
See also:
www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/about/history/66-1443c.html
And:
a_v_c_o_AKP (unnumbered MTF photo, no. '66-1443 eq)
A dramatic view of the A-2 Test Stand, Mississippi Test Facility (MTF), Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The Saturn V second stage all-systems test/dynamics test vehicle (S-II-T/D) can be seen surrounded by scaffolding & work platforms. The rims of at least three of the five Rocketdyne J-2 nozzles/thrust chambers can be seen along the lowest walkway/access platform, just above the row of three lights near the center of the photograph. Also, for scale, three gentlemen can be seen near the lower left-hand corner of the test stand, in front of the curving blast deflector segments.
The eventual destination beckons in the night sky.
The "border" within the image appears to be in the photo. No matter what light sources or angles I've applied, it does not appear to be removable.
An identical photo, bearing a stamped date of April 9, 1966, would then identify this photograph as being taken shortly before the first static test of the S-II-T. Per the online version of the “Saturn Illustrated Chronology - Part 7, January 1966 through December 1966”:
“On April 23 workmen at MTF successfully captive-fired for 15 seconds S-II-T, the Saturn V second stage all-systems test vehicle. This was the first test of a flight-weight S-II stage. The stage, largest and most powerful liquid oxygen-liquid hydrogen stage known, developed one million pounds of thrust from its five J-2 engines. This test also marked the first operational use of MTF.”
At:
history.nasa.gov/MHR-5/part-7.htm
Also…note this identifies the 23 April static firing as “the first operational use of the A-2 stand.”
At:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stennis_Space_Center
Credit: Wikipedia
In fact, both above assertions are true. The first operational A-2 Test Stand firing was also the first operational use of MTF...space history.
www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/pdf/428016main_FS-2010-02-00...
Finally, from the same NASA document cited above and pertinent to the S-II-T:
“Early in 1966 MSFC formally redesignated the S-II all-systems stage (S-II-T) as the all-systems test/dynamics test stage (S-II-T/D).”
As a true ‘first’- on two counts - the effort put forth in capturing this dramatic composition was merited.
The other photograph referenced:
www.vintagenasaphotographs.com/shop/rocket-testing-facili...
Credit: “VINTAGE NASA PHOTOGRAPHS” website
See also:
www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/about/history/66-1443c.html
And: