[APOLLO PROGRAM]. SATURN V & SATURN IB/ APOLLO FIRING ROOM CONTROL PANELS

SATURN V & SATURN IB/ APOLLO FIRING ROOM CONTROL PANELS

USED TO LAUNCH THE SATURN V ROCKET FROM THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER FIRING ROOM 1, LAUNCHING 7 APOLLO MISSIONS, INCLUDING THE THREE MOST HISTORIC: APOLLO 8 (FIRST HUMANS TO ORBIT THE MOON), APOLLO 11 (FIRST HUMANS TO LAND ON THE MOON), AND APOLLO 17 (LAST HUMANS TO LAND ON THE MOON)

A collection of 20 original Apollo Firing Room Control Panels from the Kennedy Space Center Firing Rooms 1 & 3, which launched the Saturn V and Saturn IB rockets, carrying Apollo 4 (unmanned), and the crews of Apollo 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, Skylabs 2, 3, & 4, and ASTP (Apollo-Soyuz Test Project).

The majority of the consoles come from Area B, which housed the primary test, checkout, monitoring, and control functions, with a few from Area A, which was the location for the consoles that provided information necessary for the supervision of the test and launch process. Area B was divided into 5 rows, A-E, while area A was divided into 4 areas, A-D. The collection consists of:

Seven (7) Monitoring Console Panels, used to display information pertaining to countdown & launch sequence events; Two (2) panels from the Instrument Unit, which contained the guidance and monitoring equipment for the rockets while in flight; Five (5) console panels for the S-IC, the first stage of the Saturn V Rocket; Two (2) console panels for the S-II, the second stage of the Saturn V (and used for the S-IB first stage of the Saturn IB); Four (4) console panels for the S-IVB, the third stage of the Saturn V (and second stage of the Saturn IB), all as follows:

Seven (7) Monitoring Console Panels, used to display information pertaining to countdown & launch sequence events; Two (2) panels from the Instrument Unit, which contained the guidance and monitoring equipment for the rocket while it was in flight; Five (5) console panels for the S-IC, the first stage of the Saturn V Rocket; Two (2) console panels for the S-II, the second stage of the Saturn V; Four (4) console panels for the S-IVB, the third stage of the Saturn V, all as follows:

MONITORING CONSOLE PANELS:

1. [Control Keyboard] Status Lights/Command Functions/Editing Panel. [Area/Row BD] (16 ¾ x 13 ¾ x 4 ¾ inches).

2. Countdown Clock 1 [For timing the S-IC first stage]. ETR FY inventory stickers, red label reading “Property of USA/PAN/AM/ASD. 08 (606)-68-C-004” [Area A]

3. Countdown Clock 2. [For timing the S-II second stage]. ETR FY inventory stickers, red label reading “Property of USA/PAN/AM/ASD. 08 (606)-68-C-004” [Area A] (coupled together with item 2 above, together measuring 14 ½ x 20 ¼ x 7 ¼ inches.)

4. Countdown Clock 3 [For timing the S-IVB third stage]. ETR FY inventory stickers, partial red label reading “Property [illegible, but: of USA/PAN/AM/ASD. 08 (606)-68-C-0040]” [Area A]

5. Range Time. [For timing overall launch time]. ETR FY inventory stickers, red label reading “Property of USA/PAN/AM/ASD. 08 (606)-68-C-0040” [Area A] (coupled together with item 3 above, together measuring 14 ½ x 20 ¼ x 7 ¼ inches.)

6. Test Supervisor Assembly. NASA console tag: “NASA GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER US. TEST SUPERVISOR ASSEMBLY.ASSY NO: AOM10136. CONTROL NO: NASW-410. SERIAL NO. 0004. ACCEPT DATE: 5-66. MFD BY: E. CO., DAYTONA BEACH.” NASA-KSC inventory sticker, modification labels. [Area/Row AB, Rack 8] (19 x 10 ½ x 7 inches.)

7. Events Display. NASA console tag: “NASA GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER US. EVENTS DISPLAY PANEL. ASSY NO.: 40M09762-21. CONTR NO.: NAS-W-410. SERIAL NO.: 0041. MFD BY: SPACO FOR G.E.” Contractor label: “McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company”; NASA-KSC inventory sticker, testing, and inspection labels. [Area/Row BA, Rack 9] (19 x 17 ½ x 19 ½ inches.) 

INSTRUMENT UNIT PANELS

8. Guidance Computer Panel. NASA console tag: “NASA GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER US. GUIDANCE COMPUTER.ASSY NO.: 50m36495-11. CONTR NO. NAS-W-410. SERIAL NO. 0002. MFD BY: CPC FOR GE.” Testing, inspection, & modification labels. [Area/Row BC, Rack 11] (19 x 12 ½ x 19 ½ inches.)

9. I[nstrument]U[nit] Operations. NASA console tag: “NASA GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER US. IU OPERATIONS ASSEMBLY. ASSY NO. 40M10187-3. CONTR NO.: NASW-410. SERIAL NO.: 0005. ACCEPT DATE: 4-66.” Red label reading: “1103A4A1”, NASA-KSC inventory stickers, modification labels, inspection stamps. [Area B] (19 x 5 ¼ x 6 ½ inches.) 

S-IC CONSOLE PANELS

10. S-IC Hydraulics.NASA console tag: “NASA GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER US. S-IC HYDRAULIC ASSY. ASSY NO.: 40M07484-3. CONTR NO.: NAS-W-410. SERIAL NO.: 0003. MFD BY: HAYES FOR GE.” Contractor label: “Boeing NASA 5608”, NASA-KSC inventory sticker, modification and inspection labels. KSC Disposition sticker: “Area/Row BA, Rack 01, Disposition 5”. (19 x 12 x 19 1/2 inches.)

11.  S-IC Ground Pneumatics. NASA console tag: “NASA GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER US. SIC PNEUMATICS PANEL. ASSY NO.: 40M07409-5, SERIAL NO.: 0004. MOD NO. 40M59910. MEAS NO. 601-113.”Modification and inspection labels, NASA-KSC inventory stickers. Contractor label: “Boeing NASA 5608.” KSC Disposition sticker: “Area/Row BA, Rack 04, Disposition 5”. (19 x 8 /2 x 19 1/2 inches.)

12. S-IC Engine Deflection.NASA console tag: “NASA GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER US. S1C ENGINE DEFLECTION PANEL. ASSY NO.: 40M04784-5. CONTR NO.: NAS-W-410. SERIAL NO.: 0005. MFD BY: EBSCO FOR G.E.” Modification and testing labels, NASA-KSC and IBM inventory and surplus stickers. [Area/Row BD, Rack 11] (19 x 14 x 19 1/2 inches).

13. S-IC Cutoff Sensors.NASA console tag: “NASA GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER US. S-1C CUTOFF SENSORS. R/D 602-106A5. ASSY NO.: 40M10544-7. CONTR NO.: 02675-1. SERIAL NO. 0003.” Modifications and location labels, NASA-KSC inventory label. [Area/Row BA, Rack 14] (19 x 12 1/4 x 19 1/2 inches).

14. S-IC Fuel System.NASA console tag “NASA GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER US. S-1C FUEL PANEL. ASSY NO.: 40M07646-9. CONTR NO.: NAS-W-410. SERIAL NO.: 0004. MFD BY: ASD/NSO HUNTSVILLE.” Modifications, testing, and inspection labels. Contractor label: “Boeing NASA 5608”, NASA-KSC inventory and surplus labels. KSC Disposition sticker: “Area/Row BA, Rack 6, Disposition 5”. (19 x 17 1/2 x 19 1/2 inches). 

S-II CONSOLE PANELS

15. S-II Engine Deflection Assembly.NASA console tag: “NASA GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER US. S-II ENGINE DEFLECTION ASSEMBLY. ASSY NO.: 40M04781-5. CONTR NO.: NAS-W-410. SERIAL NO.: 0004. MFD BY: EPSCO FOR G.E.” Modifications and testing labels, black label reading “OIS/C2FE”, NASA-KSC and IBM inventory labels. KSC Disposition sticker: “Row BD, Rack 17, Disposition 5”. (19 x 12 1/4 x 19 1/2 inches)

16. S-II Recirculation. NASA console tag: “NASA GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER US. S-II RECIRCULATION ASSEMBLY. ASSY NO.: 40M08616-5. CONTR NO.: NASW-410.SERIAL NO: 0004. MFD BY: G.E. CO. DAYTONA BEACH. ACCEPT DATE: 3-66.” Modifications, testing and calibration labels, NASA-KSC inventory labels. KSC Disposition sticker: “Area/Row BA, Rack [illegible], Disposition [illegible]”. (19 x 12 1/4 x 19 1/2 inches). 

S-IVB CONSOLE PANELS

17. S-IVB APS Launch and Monitor. NASA console tag: “NASA GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER US. S-IVB LAUNCH AND MONITOR ASSY.ASSY NO. 40M10218-23. MOD NO. J. CONTR NO. NASW 410. SERIAL NO.: 002 MFD BY: G.E. CO DAYTONA BEACH. “Modifications, testing, and maintenance labels, NASA-KSC inventory labels. KSC Disposition sticker: “Area/Row BB, Rack 16, Disposition 5”. (19 x 17 1/2 x 19 1/2 inches). 

18. S-IVB GH/GN Control. NASA console tag: “NASA GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER US. S-IVB GH/GN CONTROL ASSEMBLY. ASSY NO.: 40MO9298-11. CONTR NO.: NASW-410. SERIAL NO. 0005.MFD BY: G.E. COMPANY, DAYTONA BEACH. ACCEPT DATE: 5-66.” Contractor label: “McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company”, NASA-KSC inventory sticker, modifications, maintenance, testing, and operational check labels. [Area/Row BB, Rack 18] (19 x 17 1/2 x 19 1/2 inches). 

19. S-IVB Engine Deflection. NASA console tag: “NASA GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER US. ENGINE DEFLECTION.ASSY NO. 40M05710-11. CONTR NO.: NASW-410. SERIAL NO.: 0004. MFD BY: EPSCO FOR G.E.” Modifications, testing, and NASA-KSC and IBM inventory labels. KSC Disposition sticker: “Area/Row BD, Rack 15, Disposition 5”. (19 x 12 x 19 1/2 inches).

20. S-IVB Stage Pressure. NASA console tag: “NASA GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER US. 602-406A7. ASSY NO.: 40M09113.CONTR NO.: 1B72394 BC. SERIAL NO.: 0002. MFD BY: GENERAL ELECTRIC. ACCEPT DATE: 10/16/3”. Modifications and maintenance labels, NASA-KSC inventory labels. KSC Disposition sticker: “Area/Row BB, Rack 21, Disposition 5”. Yellow Serviceable Materiel tag dated 1983. (19 x 17 1/2 x 19 1/2 inches). 

THE CONTROL PANELS USED TO LAUNCH THE SATURN V & SATURN IB ROCKETS, CARRYING 8 APOLLO MISSIONS, INCLUDING APOLLO 8 (THE FIRST HUMANS TO ORBIT THE MOON), APOLLO 11 (THE FIRST HUMANS TO LAND ON THE MOON), APOLLO 13 (THE CREW THAT ALMOST DIDN'T RETURN), AND APOLLO 17 (THE LAST HUMANS TO LAND ON THE MOON), AS WELL AS 3 SKYLAB MISSIONS, AND ASTP.

The John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is one of ten NASA field centers, and has been, since December 1969, NASA’s primary launch center for human spaceflight. It is the location of Launch Complex 39, built for the awesome Saturn V rocket, the largest and most powerful operational launch vehicle ever built. Launch Complex 39 has been used to launch every single human spaceflight, including all 6 Apollo manned lunar landing missions, Skylab, ASTP, and the Space Shuttle program.

The Launch Control Center for Launch Complex 39 contains 4 Firing Rooms, with the first 3 having been built out during the Apollo program. Firing Room 1 was the first of the rooms to be equipped, and after the launch of the unmanned Apollo 4 (AS-501) in November 1967, it went on to control the launches of Apollo 8, 11, 13, 15, 16, and 17. Apollos 9, 12, and 14 were launched out of Firing Room 2, and Apollo 10, Skylabs 2, 3, & 4, and ASTP out of Firing Room 3. After the Apollo program, Firing Room 1 went on to control the first launch of the Space Shuttle, with Columbia’s maiden flight on April 12, 1981. In 2006, it was re-named the “Young-Crippen Firing Room”, in honor of the crew of STS-1.

The Saturn V and Saturn IB hardware, including all stages of the rocket, and the control panels, were built at the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama, under the supervision of the master architect of the American Space Program, Wernher von Braun. They were then then shipped down for Launch at Kennedy Space Center. 

The first lunar landing was one of the greatest group efforts in the history of mankind, with NASA and its various contractors employing over 400,000 people. 440 of these employees manned the consoles of the firing room during each Apollo launch, with another 60 in the Operations and Checkout building at Kennedy Space Center. The prime contractors for the various stages manned the consoles for their stages, with Boeing covering the S-IC, Rockwell the S-II, and Douglas the S-IVB.

REFERENCE

See related lot 109, the first page from the FLOWN Apollo 11 Flight Plan, beginning with the word "LIFTOFF", which was accomplished using these control panels. 

PROVENANCE

Ex Estate of NASA Electrical Design Engineer Charles Bell; surplussed and de-accessed by NASA