a04 (AS-501)_v_bw_o_n (67-H-1254)
"Apollo-4 Configuration"
"Sta" refers to station numbers...which appear to be a standardized bottom-to-top linear reference system, in inches, of the launch vehicle’s ‘planes’ of attachment(?), separation(?) and (thanks to Mike Jetzer)…gimbal.
I think I've also seen station numbers associated with/to levels/points on either the Mobile Service Structure (MSS) or Launcher Umbilical Tower (LUT). Maybe even both? If so, reasonable to assume they correspond with those of the vehicle??? Then again, it may just be a concocted memory on my part.
Fortunately, and commensurate with the superb site it is, the following excerpt, along with additional graphics, sheds light on the ‘mystery’:
“The station numbers are at right. Marshall Space Flight Center station numbers are in inches and are defined such that station 100 is the gimbal plane of the engines. This scheme seems to have started with the Jupiter missile (the first ABMA missile with an engine with gimbal capability; the Jupiter's S-3D engine was 100 inches tall from the exit plane to the gimbal plane) and continued on up to the Saturn V. This leads to the somewhat unusual need, in the case of the much-larger F-1 engine, for negative station numbers.”
At:
heroicrelics.org/info/saturn-v/saturn-v-general.html
heroicrelics.org/info/saturn-v/saturn-v-general/saturn-v-...
Both above credit: Mike Jetzer/heroicrelics.org
If correct, which I have no reason to doubt, how bizarre…to continue the “tradition”. There surely must’ve been some interesting history & background for its 'continuation'. So, station numbers seem to be attributed to MSFC. I don't get it.
Also, although I've found "field splice" in various NASA documents, it still doesn't help me understand or visualize it. So, I guess it's "duh" on my part.
SLS my Artem-ass. 😜
a04 (AS-501)_v_bw_o_n (67-H-1254)
"Apollo-4 Configuration"
"Sta" refers to station numbers...which appear to be a standardized bottom-to-top linear reference system, in inches, of the launch vehicle’s ‘planes’ of attachment(?), separation(?) and (thanks to Mike Jetzer)…gimbal.
I think I've also seen station numbers associated with/to levels/points on either the Mobile Service Structure (MSS) or Launcher Umbilical Tower (LUT). Maybe even both? If so, reasonable to assume they correspond with those of the vehicle??? Then again, it may just be a concocted memory on my part.
Fortunately, and commensurate with the superb site it is, the following excerpt, along with additional graphics, sheds light on the ‘mystery’:
“The station numbers are at right. Marshall Space Flight Center station numbers are in inches and are defined such that station 100 is the gimbal plane of the engines. This scheme seems to have started with the Jupiter missile (the first ABMA missile with an engine with gimbal capability; the Jupiter's S-3D engine was 100 inches tall from the exit plane to the gimbal plane) and continued on up to the Saturn V. This leads to the somewhat unusual need, in the case of the much-larger F-1 engine, for negative station numbers.”
At:
heroicrelics.org/info/saturn-v/saturn-v-general.html
heroicrelics.org/info/saturn-v/saturn-v-general/saturn-v-...
Both above credit: Mike Jetzer/heroicrelics.org
If correct, which I have no reason to doubt, how bizarre…to continue the “tradition”. There surely must’ve been some interesting history & background for its 'continuation'. So, station numbers seem to be attributed to MSFC. I don't get it.
Also, although I've found "field splice" in various NASA documents, it still doesn't help me understand or visualize it. So, I guess it's "duh" on my part.
SLS my Artem-ass. 😜