quote:

Originally posted by sigcrazy7:
To sum up, I’m basically hearing that we *could* build the Saturn V if we wanted to, but we’d have to revamp the specs to conform to modern techniques and processes. The real reason we haven’t is because the demand isn’t there; indeed, we didn’t go to the moon again 40 years ago, and still see no reason to do so, so no need for a Saturn V type stack.

It’s analogous to saying we could build battleships, but we don’t because carriers are more useful. We can’t build battleships today because we don’t want to and don’t need them. They’re a relic.

If and when we ever need a Saturn V type lift, we can build it, but it will be something modern, like the Ares V.

This seems to be the jist of it from what I can tell.

Yes. Of course we could build something that would perform the function of the Saturn V, but it wouldn't be a Saturn V. There would be better designs available to us now.

quote:

Originally posted by XinTX:
But with the battleships, even if we wanted to build one, I don't think the equipment to roll plate of a battleship thickness still exists in a readily serviceable condition. No longer much demand for steel plate that thick.

Tools to make the tools to make the tools.

Cool as a Saturn V Mark II would be to think about, rather than trying to replicate it I suspect we could do better today making use of the 50+ years of technical progress since then. Take the mission goals but accomplish them with new materials, modern electronics and computing, lighter weight equipment, far better controls...

Not taking away from what they did. Just saying to go back would be to not make use of their effort and experience.

I have my own thoughts on this, namely that we would not need to replace vacuum tubes etc. just pull it all out and replace that entire devices function with modern equivalent. I mean all of the computers that were used are weaker than my smartphone. but I digress.
I did something I found to be really really cool

Recently I read a set of books by a new author John Dreese, they are Red Hope and Blue Hope. In Blue Hope we rebuild a Saturn V rocket to make a 'need to get there yesterday' lunar trip Mr. Dreese has stated that he communicates with his fans, and true to form we messaged back and forth about North Texas and some elements in the book. I reached out to him and asked his thoughts were on our Sat. V discussion (since he actually had us rebuilding a Sat V in the book). He responded

"Hi David, thanks for the link! That restored launch video was great. In my opinion, the Saturn V is the most magnificent machine ever produced by mankind. To answer your question: With enough money, we could easily build more Saturn V's. I've heard that the plans were destroyed, so each part would have to be reverse-engineered. Crazier things have been done before (search Google for the Russians reverse-engineering our B-29's). There are a few Saturn V hulks spread around the country, with the best-preserved one being at the Rocketpark building at NASA Johnson in Houston. So we have plenty of examples to copy. The biggest problem is that the Saturn V is pretty much overkill for anything other than going to the Moon. It would be like using a sledge hammer to push in a thumb tack. I could be mistaken, but the upcoming SpaceX Falcon Heavy is the first rocket to best the Saturn V's payload capacity - that's probably because Elon Musk has plans for going to Mars with it. Again, the Saturn V was a beast and I would've loved to see one launch in person." -John Dreese, 2/1/2018

An incredible, awe-inspiring video! I've been in engineering and manufacturing for almost 5 decades and I am completely humbled by what these brilliant engineers accomplished. I grew up in the 50's/60's and witnessed the evolution of the space race from the first Sputnik/Explorer onward. I show my now-adult children my K&E Deci-Lon slide rule and they look at me like I just got off an ox-pulled covered wagon.

quote:

Originally posted by charlie12:
At the INFINITY Science Center at Stennis Space Center, Bay St. Louis, MS

***snip***

Yeah man, that place is cool. We regularly stop there when riding motorcycles to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

I'm a big NASA nerd too.
I picked 2 special issue Life magazines and some newspapers at an estate sale.
One is July 4 1969 and the other July 25 1969

I have a signed framed photo of Apollo 14 and a personal note from Alan Shepard on the back.

As a consolation, here's omega NASA watch.

You know its all fake right?