a_v_bw_o_n (ca. 1962-65, unnumbered Aerojet-General Corp. PR photo)
“Placement of mated CSM on Saturn rocket (concept art). Aerojet produced the 21,900-lb. thrust service propulsion engine for Apollo.”
8.5” x 11”.
The above description is from Drew Granston’s post of this image (linked to below), which I’m assuming accompanied his version of the print.
The depiction of the Aerojet-General Service Propulsion System (SPS) engine, obviously highlighted in this striking work by the Aerojet’s talented staff artist George Mathis, is a little problematic. The pseudo-cutaway depicted adapter/fairing extending out from the base of the Service Module is cylindrical, which is more representative of flights SA-6/AS-101 through SA-10/AS-105. However, those flight configurations featured no CSMs, hence, no SPS engines.
It was not until AS-201 & AS-202 that SPS engines were flown & fired, which featured the familiar conical Spacecraft LM Adapter (SLA) fairing. Additionally, the fins of the Block II Saturn booster on the launchpad in the background are representative of flights SA-5 through SA-10, again, with no CSM/SPS configurations aboard.
Finally, although neither here nor there, I don’t think any CSM stack was ever transported out to the launchpad horizontally, as is shown here. So, I’m thinking this is more likely from ca. 1962, possibly before Mr. Mathis was aware of the above information…or, maybe just his exercise of artistic license.
Regardless, it’s a wonderful example of Mr. Mathis’ unique style.
Pertaining to the disposition of Mr. Mathis' works:
ntserver1.wsulibs.wsu.edu/masc/finders/pc90.htm
Credit: “Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections” website
(I wonder if under “Space Art, Black and White Photos”, this is “Apollo stage, hoisting onto rocket”, contained within Box 4, Folder 119.)
Also:
news.wsu.edu/news/2019/07/16/wsu-grads-art-brought-apollo...
Credit: “WSU Insider” website
And:
www.annexgalleries.com/artists/biography/1533/Mathis/George
Credit: “The Annex Galleries” website
And last, but not least...check out the wonderful array of works, thanks yet again to the wonderful Internet Archive website:
archive.org/details/aeroject2007calendargeorgemathisartis...
Thank You & Continue to Rest In Peace Good Sir.
Interesting aside...that is, if correct, and more importantly...legit:
www.worldint.com/oldwesttrails/gmathis.html
Credit: "Old West Trails" website
One more...interesting SPS reading...that's hopefully, at least partially correct:
www.nasa.gov/history/60-years-ago-first-test-firing-of-th...
a_v_bw_o_n (ca. 1962-65, unnumbered Aerojet-General Corp. PR photo)
“Placement of mated CSM on Saturn rocket (concept art). Aerojet produced the 21,900-lb. thrust service propulsion engine for Apollo.”
8.5” x 11”.
The above description is from Drew Granston’s post of this image (linked to below), which I’m assuming accompanied his version of the print.
The depiction of the Aerojet-General Service Propulsion System (SPS) engine, obviously highlighted in this striking work by the Aerojet’s talented staff artist George Mathis, is a little problematic. The pseudo-cutaway depicted adapter/fairing extending out from the base of the Service Module is cylindrical, which is more representative of flights SA-6/AS-101 through SA-10/AS-105. However, those flight configurations featured no CSMs, hence, no SPS engines.
It was not until AS-201 & AS-202 that SPS engines were flown & fired, which featured the familiar conical Spacecraft LM Adapter (SLA) fairing. Additionally, the fins of the Block II Saturn booster on the launchpad in the background are representative of flights SA-5 through SA-10, again, with no CSM/SPS configurations aboard.
Finally, although neither here nor there, I don’t think any CSM stack was ever transported out to the launchpad horizontally, as is shown here. So, I’m thinking this is more likely from ca. 1962, possibly before Mr. Mathis was aware of the above information…or, maybe just his exercise of artistic license.
Regardless, it’s a wonderful example of Mr. Mathis’ unique style.
Pertaining to the disposition of Mr. Mathis' works:
ntserver1.wsulibs.wsu.edu/masc/finders/pc90.htm
Credit: “Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections” website
(I wonder if under “Space Art, Black and White Photos”, this is “Apollo stage, hoisting onto rocket”, contained within Box 4, Folder 119.)
Also:
news.wsu.edu/news/2019/07/16/wsu-grads-art-brought-apollo...
Credit: “WSU Insider” website
And:
www.annexgalleries.com/artists/biography/1533/Mathis/George
Credit: “The Annex Galleries” website
And last, but not least...check out the wonderful array of works, thanks yet again to the wonderful Internet Archive website:
archive.org/details/aeroject2007calendargeorgemathisartis...
Thank You & Continue to Rest In Peace Good Sir.
Interesting aside...that is, if correct, and more importantly...legit:
www.worldint.com/oldwesttrails/gmathis.html
Credit: "Old West Trails" website
One more...interesting SPS reading...that's hopefully, at least partially correct:
www.nasa.gov/history/60-years-ago-first-test-firing-of-th...