History
The Saturn V rocket was used to launch the Apollo spacecrafts
for missions to the moon, and each Saturn V rocket included
five of these liquid oxygen (LOX) prevalves. The valve,
one of the largest ever constructed for aerospace use,
controls the flow of liquid oxygen upon launch. Liquid
oxygen, a component of the rocket's propellant,
flowed through the valve at 110,000 liters (29,000 gallons)
a minute—enough to fill a typical backyard swimming
pool! The valve could also shut off the flow in a third
of a second.
The
Science Center's Saturn V Prevalve
The prevalve we have on display at the Science Center
was donated to us by the Whittaker Corporation in 1984.
It was used in the initial qualification testing of
the prevalve's design.
Saturn
V Links
The
Apollo Saturn Reference Page
This detailed page includes photos of existing elements
of Saturn V rockets on display around the country, as
well as links to the Saturn V flight manual and a complete
"news reference" to provide background information
on the Saturn V.
Saturn
V Launch Vehicle
The National Air and Space Museum developed this page
on the Saturn V, which includes a brief overview of
the rocket along with labeled diagrams and a partial
list of Saturn V vehicles and parts currently on display.
...one
of five liquid oxygen (LOX) valves on the Saturn V rocket,
the rocket type that launched the Apollo moon missions.
