Saturn I/NERVA upper stage mating (ca. 1962 Aerojet-General artist’s concept, New England Auctions/Fred Giampietro website download)
I recently came up short bidding on this item. !&*?@$%!
However, thanks to the auction house, “New England Auctions”/Fred Giampietro, a well-photographed, high-resolution image was provided/posted in the auction…with a link to download it…BRAVO! That, and it being by the hand of Aerojet-General’s George Mathis made it a no-brainer for me to add it to “the record”, as it were. I find Mr. Mathis’ style to be distinctive, unique & striking. And, in this case, the subject matter being somewhat of a unicorn…IMHO.
First, that’s a Block II Saturn I on the launch pedestal, recognizable by its eight stubby fins. SA-5 being its inaugural flight btw. And, the pièce de résistance; that’s a NERVA upper stage being hoisted for mating to the first stage! Have you ever seen that!?! I haven’t!
I really wanted it. Drat it!
auctions.neauction.com/online-auctions/new-haven-auctions...
Credit: NEW ENGLAND AUCTIONS/FRED GIAMPIETRO website
Some background:
“The NERVA (Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Applications) program was initiated in 1961. This effort, under the direction of the Space Nuclear Propulsion Office of NASA and the AEC, is being performed by the Aerojet-General Corporation as the prime contractor and Westinghouse Electric Corporation as the principal subcontractor with responsibility for the development of the nuclear subsystem, which includes the reactor, shielding, and reactor controls.”
Above is an extract from/at:
www1.grc.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/NERVA-Nuclear-Rocket...
And, of course, a plethora of information at:
Some excellent diagrams confirming my identification & estimation of year:
Both above credit: “The Unwanted Blog” blog
www.aerospaceprojectsreview.com/blog/?s=NERVA&searchs...
Credit: Aerospace Projects Review website
Finally, hopefully correctly identified. If so, note the lack of fins, so this is a Block I Saturn I, predating that in the Mathis painting:
airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/model-rocket-saturn...
Credit: NASM/Smithsonian website
I can’t help but wonder if the winning bidder actually had a clue as to the uniqueness of what’s depicted here. And not just disposable income.
Saturn I/NERVA upper stage mating (ca. 1962 Aerojet-General artist’s concept, New England Auctions/Fred Giampietro website download)
I recently came up short bidding on this item. !&*?@$%!
However, thanks to the auction house, “New England Auctions”/Fred Giampietro, a well-photographed, high-resolution image was provided/posted in the auction…with a link to download it…BRAVO! That, and it being by the hand of Aerojet-General’s George Mathis made it a no-brainer for me to add it to “the record”, as it were. I find Mr. Mathis’ style to be distinctive, unique & striking. And, in this case, the subject matter being somewhat of a unicorn…IMHO.
First, that’s a Block II Saturn I on the launch pedestal, recognizable by its eight stubby fins. SA-5 being its inaugural flight btw. And, the pièce de résistance; that’s a NERVA upper stage being hoisted for mating to the first stage! Have you ever seen that!?! I haven’t!
I really wanted it. Drat it!
auctions.neauction.com/online-auctions/new-haven-auctions...
Credit: NEW ENGLAND AUCTIONS/FRED GIAMPIETRO website
Some background:
“The NERVA (Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Applications) program was initiated in 1961. This effort, under the direction of the Space Nuclear Propulsion Office of NASA and the AEC, is being performed by the Aerojet-General Corporation as the prime contractor and Westinghouse Electric Corporation as the principal subcontractor with responsibility for the development of the nuclear subsystem, which includes the reactor, shielding, and reactor controls.”
Above is an extract from/at:
www1.grc.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/NERVA-Nuclear-Rocket...
And, of course, a plethora of information at:
Some excellent diagrams confirming my identification & estimation of year:
Both above credit: “The Unwanted Blog” blog
www.aerospaceprojectsreview.com/blog/?s=NERVA&searchs...
Credit: Aerospace Projects Review website
Finally, hopefully correctly identified. If so, note the lack of fins, so this is a Block I Saturn I, predating that in the Mathis painting:
airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/model-rocket-saturn...
Credit: NASM/Smithsonian website
I can’t help but wonder if the winning bidder actually had a clue as to the uniqueness of what’s depicted here. And not just disposable income.