SATURN 5 R/B

SATURN 5 R/B is classified as:

Space & Earth Science

NORAD ID: 3627

Int'l Code: 1968-118B

Launch date: December 21, 1968
Source: United States (US)
Launch site: AIR FORCE EASTERN TEST RANGE (AFETR)

The Apollo Saturn V SIVB was the third stage of the Saturn V booster. The SIVB consisted of a truncated cone with a bottom diameter of 10.06 m topped by a long cylinder with a diameter of 6.60 m. Total height was 17.80 m. It contained liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen tanks and a J2 engine. It was launched into Earth orbit attached to the Command and Service Module (CSM). The SIVB provided the thrust to take the CSM from Earth orbit into a lunar transfer orbit. After achieving trajectory towards the Moon, the Apollo 8 CSM decoupled from the SIVB at 16:12 UT on 21 December 1968 and made a course correction to head for lunar orbit. The SIVB stage was put on a trajectory to fly by the Moon on 24 December after which it entered solar orbit.
Note: This is a ROCKET BODY