Jan 052012
Back about 1958, when the Saturn was still an Army project, there was some question about first stage propulsion. A million and a half pounds of thrust was needed; it could be provided by either eight H-1 engines (then under development, derived from the S-3 rocket engine used on the Thor and Jupiter MRBMs), or one F-1 engine (then under development). Shown here is an October 1958 Army concept for Saturn first stages using each engine arrangement. Note that the H-1 equipped version is noticeably shorter in length. Also note that the first stage is designed as a conventional rocket stage, unlike the clustered tanks actually used on the Saturn I.
