View source for Saturn V dynamic test stand

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Saturn V dynamic test stand
| nrhp_type = nhl
| image = SA-500D in Dynamic Test Stand Configuration I.jpg
| caption = [[SA-500D]] is erected inside the dynamic test stand for configuration I testing, December, 1966.
| location = [[Huntsville, Alabama]]
| coordinates = {{coord|34|37|50.97|N|86|39|40.13|W|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = USA Alabama Huntsville#Alabama#USA
| area =less than one acre
| built = {{start date|1964}}
| architect = [[Heinz Hilten]]<ref name="Hilten">{{cite web |url=http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/local.ssf?/base/news/1241082916203050.xml&coll=1 |title=Architect for rocket team hits a century |last1=Spires |first1=Shelby |date=April 30, 2009 |work=The Huntsville Times |accessdate=February 12, 2011}}</ref> of NASA
| architecture =
| designated_nrhp_type= October 3, 1985<ref name="nhlsum">{{cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1923&ResourceType=Structure
|title=Saturn V Dynamic Test Stand |accessdate=2007-10-25|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070728062020/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1923&ResourceType=Structure|archive-date=2007-07-28}}</ref>
| added = October 3, 1985<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2007a}}</ref>
| refnum = 85002806
}}

'''Saturn V dynamic test stand''', also known as '''dynamic structural test facility''',<ref>{{cite book |title=Man in space: study of alternatives |date=1987 |publisher=United States National Park Service |page=26 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MWK_59ni-i0C |accessdate=12 July 2019}}</ref> at the [[George C. Marshall Space Flight Center]] in [[Huntsville, Alabama]] is the test stand used for testing of the [[Saturn V]] rocket and the [[Space Shuttle]] prior to the vehicles' first flights.  Designated building 4550,<ref name="nrhpinv2"/> it stands {{convert|363|ft|m}} tall and is {{convert|98|ft|m}} square.<ref name="pressKit">{{cite web | url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/33024706/Facilities-Chapter-Nine-of-Saturn-V-Press-Kit | title=Saturn V Press Kit: Chapter 9 - Facilities | accessdate=March 29, 2011 | publisher=NASA | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106215954/http://www.scribd.com/doc/33024706/Facilities-Chapter-Nine-of-Saturn-V-Press-Kit | archivedate=November 6, 2012 }}</ref>  Its central bay has maximum dimensions of {{convert|74|x|74|ft|m}}, and it is topped by a [[derrick]] capable of moving 200-ton objects in a {{convert|70|ft|m|adj=on}} radius.  An elevator provides access to 15 levels in the structure, and a cable tunnel connects the building to control facilities in the space center's East Test Area.<ref name="nrhpinv2"/>

NASA built the test stand  in 1964 to conduct mechanical and vibrational tests on the fully assembled [[Saturn V]] rocket. Major problems capable of causing failure of the vehicle were discovered and corrected here.<ref name="nhlsum"/>  The new building was so tall that in 1966 when the Saturn V first stage was entering, an observer noted, "Fog and clouds hovered around the top of the {{convert|360|foot}} tall test stand most of the day while the {{convert|300000| lb}} stage was being lifted from its transporter into place inside the stand, said to be the tallest building in Alabama."<ref name="Star6601">{{cite news | publisher=MSFC |newspaper=Marshall Star |date=January 19, 1966 | title=Dynamics S-IC Moved (photo caption) | page=8 }} quoted in {{cite web |last=Wright |first=Mike |title=Three Saturn Vs on Display Teach Lessons in Space History |url=http://history.msfc.nasa.gov/saturn_apollo/display.html |publisher=Marshall Space Flight Center History Office |accessdate=10 February 2011}}</ref>  The stand was used to test how spacecraft behaved when put under vibrating and bending stresses, and to test the connections between major stages of the craft.<ref name="nrhpinv2"/>

It was declared a [[National Historic Landmark]] in 1985 for its role in the Saturn V program.<ref name="nhlsum"/><ref name="nrhpinv2">{{Cite web|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Saturn V Dynamic Test Stand|url={{NHLS url|id=85002806}} |format=pdf|date=May 15, 1984 |first=Harry A. |last=Butowsky |publisher=National Park Service}} and {{NHLS url|id=85002806|title=Accompanying 9 photos, exterior and interior, from 1971, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, and 1984.|photos=y}}&nbsp;{{small|(2.30&nbsp;MB)}}</ref>

In addition to the [[Saturn V dynamic test vehicle]], designated SA-500D, two [[Space Shuttle]] test vehicles, ''[[Space Shuttle Pathfinder|Pathfinder]]'' and ''[[Space Shuttle Enterprise|Enterprise]]'', were also tested in this facility.

<gallery>
Space Shuttle Pathfinder OV-098 original configuration.jpg|The [[Space Shuttle Pathfinder|Space Shuttle Orbiter simulator]] is hoisted into the Saturn V dynamic test stand in 1977
Dynamic Structural Test Facility.jpg|The Shuttle [[Space Shuttle Enterprise|''Enterprise'']] is loaded into the Saturn V dynamic test stand for a shake test, c. 1978
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[List of National Historic Landmarks in Alabama]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070703230334/http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/aviation/ Aviation: From Sand Dunes to Sonic Booms, a National Park Service ''Discover Our Shared Heritage'' Travel Itinerary]

{{National Register of Historic Places}}
{{Spaceflight landmarks}}
{{NASAMSFC}}

[[Category:National Historic Landmarks in Alabama]]
[[Category:Marshall Space Flight Center]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Huntsville, Alabama]]