Saturn IB Vehicle Overview
A complete overview of the Saturn IB launch vehicle, including launch stats, vehicle info and launch locations.
Basic Info
Name
Saturn IB
Family
Saturn
Manufacturer
First Launch
26 Feb 1966
Successful Launches
9
Failed Launches
1
Rocket Info
Status
Inactive
Stages
2
Length
43.2 m
Diameter
6.61 m
Launch Mass
590 tons
Thrust
7,100 kN
Reusability
Not Reusable
Payload Info
LEO Capacity
21,000 kg
The Saturn IB (pronounced "one B", also known as the Uprated Saturn I) was an American launch vehicle commissioned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the Apollo program. It replaced the S-IV second stage of the Saturn I with the much more powerful S-IVB, able to launch a partially fueled Apollo Command/Service Module (CSM) or a fully fueled Lunar Module (LM) into low Earth orbit for early flight tests before the larger Saturn V needed for lunar flight was ready.
Launch Sites used by Saturn IB
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
Historic U.S. military rocket launch site, pivotal in space exploration and national security.
Kennedy Space Center
NASA's primary launch site for human spaceflight, housing iconic facilities and a rich space history.