The 363 foot-long Apollo-era rocket has been on display at KSC in an un-mated, horizontal configuration since 1976 when it was part of the U.S. Bicentennial Exposition of Science and Technology. Since that time, it has remained on display alongside the Saturn V Causeway and used as a popular tourist stop and KSC landmark.
In January 1979, under the NASA-National Air and Space Museum Artifacts Agreement, NASA turned over the title of the Saturn V at KSC to the Smithsonian Institution.
In December 1995, Delaware North Park Services of Spaceport, Inc., the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center concessioner, awarded a contract to Thomarios Painting Company, Norton, Ohio, to perform preservation and stabilization work on the Saturn V vehicle. These efforts have been closely coordinated with officials of the Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C.
Now with construction of the new Apollo/Saturn V Center nearing completion, the rocket will be moved to its new viewing location in a way similar to how it was originally intended to deliver astronauts to the lunar surface -- one stage at a time.
The first artifact to be moved to the new Apollo/Saturn V Center will be the Command Service Module (CSM). The CSM has been housed in the former Flight Crew Training Facility in KSC's industrial area, where it has been displayed with other artifacts from the Apollo era. The move of the CSM is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, April 19.
Beginning next week, components of the Saturn V rocket that have been on display outside the VAB will be transported to the Apollo/Saturn V Center. On Apr. 23, the upper stages (the Command Module, the Service Module, the Launch Escape System and the Spacecraft-Lunar Module Adapter) will be moved. The Saturn V second stage will be moved on Apr. 27. Then on May 11, the Saturn V first stage, along with its attached five main engines, will be transported to the new viewing site.
The Apollo/Saturn V Center is located about 2 miles north of the Vehicle Assembly Building on the Kennedy Parkway, near the current Banana Creek VIP Shuttle launch viewing site.
Final construction of the Apollo/Saturn V Center will be completed in December 1996 and open soon thereafter for visitors from the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center.
No appropriated funds are being used in connection with the Apollo/Saturn V Center or in the restoration of the vehicle. Funding for this project is provided by bus tour ticket surcharges and from state arranged funding under an interagency agreement between KSC and the Spaceport Florida Authority (SFA) and South Trust Bank of Alabama. Under the arrangement, SFA will provide the financing and own the building under a NASA-granted Use Permit until such time as the outstanding project debt is fully paid.