Large beige-colored 'spider beam' unit from a Saturn IB rocket. The curved and corrugated panel approximately measures 99 x 27, and is signed on the reverse side in black felt tip by ten NASA astronauts who flew on the Saturn IB, including: "Tom Stafford, Cdr. ASTP, AS-210," "Walt Cunningham, AS-205, Apollo 7 LMP," "Alan Bean, Apollo 12 LMP, AS 207," "Bill Pogue, Skylab 4 Pilot, AS-208," "Jerry Carr, CDR, SL-4, AS 208," "Joe Kerwin, SL-2 Science Pilot, AS-206," "Jack Lousma, Pilot—Skylab 3, AS-207," "Paul Weitz, PLT—SL-2, AS-206," "Vance Brand, ASTP CM Pilot, AS-210," and "Owen Garriott, Skylab-II SPT, (AST-207), Spacelab-1 (STS-9)." Also signed by German rocket engineer Konrad Dannenberg, an original Operation Paperclip recruit who served as Deputy Manager of the Saturn program throughout the 1960s and 1970s while at NASA's Marshall Space. Flight Center . The main panel and center brace bear stamped "1983" inspection dates and parts labels: "Unit No. 1B29329, Part No. 1K" and "Unit No. 1B29331, Part No. 1H." Other brackets on reverse feature various additional, similar parts numbers. Included with the panel is a handsome triangular-shaped Saturn 1B presentation plaque listing the crew members for missions Apollo 7, Skylab 2-4, and the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. In very good condition, with expected wear including chipping, soiling, and rusting. Accompanied by a sheet bearing affixed color photos of Cunningham, Brand, and Stafford signing the panel. The spider beam unit was between the first and second stages of the Saturn 1B rocket. In addition to structurally supporting the S-IB first stage forward end,the spider beam unit assembly adapts the S-IB stage to the S-IVB second stage aft interstage and transmits thrust to the S-IVB stage. The beam area also provides mounting for various measuring components, control, and measuring tubing. Seal plates installed on the forward side of the spider beam protect the S-IB stage from the blast of the S-IVB engine during S-IVB stage separation. These plates also form the aft seal of the S-IVB aft interstage area, and provide a compartment between the rocket stages, which can be environmentally controlled. This example is one of the several spider beam units used for NASA's Apollo/Skylab/ASTP launch vehicle program. An immensely appealing centerpiece offering elevated by its array of bold signatures and the essential role it played within Saturn rocket history. From the collection of aerospace memorabilia specialist Ken Havekotte. Due to the size and/or fragile nature of this item, special packing and shipping options will apply. Please call RR Auction for a quote.
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