S-IC

<p>The S-IC (pronounced S-one-C) was the first <a href="/facts/Multistage_rocket/WNrmgztj">stage</a> of the American <a href="/facts/Saturn_V/WhpUEFJM">Saturn V</a> rocket. The S-IC stage was manufactured by the <a href="/facts/Boeing/tF5sMe9F">Boeing</a> Company. Like the first stages of most <a href="/facts/Rocket/b6j4keIl">rockets</a>, more than 90% of the mass at launch was propellant, in this case <a href="/facts/RP-1/wDI7vNdu">RP-1</a> rocket fuel and <a href="/facts/Liquid_oxygen/qnI0KDTb">liquid oxygen</a> (LOX) <a href="/facts/Oxidizer/1FQzB8pQ">oxidizer</a>. It was 42 m (138 ft) tall and 10 m (33 ft) in diameter. The stage provided 34,500 kN (7,750,000 lbf) of thrust at sea level to get the rocket through the first 61 km (38 mi) of ascent. The stage had five <a href="/facts/F-1_(rocket_engine)/PueQckty">F-1 engines</a> in a <a href="/facts/Quincunx/DavCd3J1">quincunx</a> arrangement. The center engine was fixed in position, while the four outer engines could be <a href="/facts/Hydraulic/KSIqLovc">hydraulically</a> <a href="/facts/Gimbal/FI8hEuss">gimballed</a> to control the rocket.
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S-IC open-in-new

S-IC