ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel SmarterEveryDay I Asked An Actual Apollo Engineer to Explain the Saturn 5 Rocket – Smarter Every Day 280
The Saturn V rocket stands as one of humanity’s most incredible engineering feats. Imagine having the chance to learn about it from someone who was directly involved in its creation. That’s exactly what happens in this episode of Smarter Every Day, where we delve into the intricacies of the Saturn V with Luke Talley, an original IBM engineer who worked on the rocket’s instrument unit.
Luke Talley is not just any engineer; he played a crucial role in the Apollo program. His journey began in Alabama, where he developed a keen interest in electronics, building crystal radios from scratch. This passion led him to study electrical engineering at the University of Alabama, supported by his father’s G.I. Bill. Luke’s career took off at IBM, where he became a key player in the Apollo missions, even solving critical issues like a melted coaxial cable during one of the early missions.
The Saturn V rocket is a marvel of engineering, consisting of three stages, each with a specific role in propelling astronauts to the moon. The instrument unit, a large computer near the top of the rocket, was responsible for steering the entire vehicle. Luke Talley, with his extensive knowledge, explains how this unit controlled the rocket’s trajectory.
The first stage of the Saturn V is powered by five F-1 engines, each producing 1.5 million pounds of thrust. These engines burn a ton of kerosene and two tons of liquid oxygen every second, collectively consuming 15 tons of propellant per second. The outer engines can move to steer the rocket, while the center engine remains fixed. This stage propels the rocket to about 40 miles high and 5000 miles per hour, overcoming the Earth’s atmosphere.
The second stage uses J-2 engines that burn liquid hydrogen, a more efficient fuel. These engines produce 230,000 pounds of thrust, burning 600 pounds of propellant per second. This stage continues to accelerate the rocket, preparing it for the final push into orbit.
The third stage features a single engine that can adjust its pitch and yaw but not roll. Auxiliary thrusters handle roll control. This stage is crucial for reaching the orbital speed of 17,500 miles per hour. After the crew separates, the third stage is directed to a controlled descent to avoid any collision with the spacecraft.
The instrument unit, located on top of the third stage, is the brain of the Saturn V. It controls every aspect of the rocket’s flight, ensuring all components work in harmony. Luke Talley’s work on this unit was vital to the success of the Apollo missions.
Luke Talley shares his experiences and the teamwork that made the Apollo program possible. His stories highlight the dedication and collaboration of countless individuals who contributed to this historic achievement.
In conclusion, learning about the Saturn V from someone like Luke Talley offers a unique perspective on the incredible engineering and human effort behind the Apollo missions. His insights remind us of the power of curiosity, innovation, and teamwork in achieving the seemingly impossible.
Thank you for exploring this fascinating topic. If you’re interested in more content like this, consider supporting Smarter Every Day on Patreon and subscribing to their channel for more educational videos.
Invite a guest speaker, preferably an engineer or a historian with expertise in the Apollo program, to give a lecture on the Saturn V rocket. Engage with the speaker by asking questions about the engineering challenges and solutions during the Apollo missions.
Work in groups to build a scale model of the Saturn V rocket using available materials. Focus on understanding the function of each stage and the instrument unit. Present your model and explain the engineering principles behind each component.
Use a computer simulation tool to analyze the trajectory of the Saturn V rocket. Experiment with different parameters to see how they affect the rocket’s path. Discuss the importance of the instrument unit in maintaining the correct trajectory.
Study a specific problem encountered during the Apollo missions, such as the melted coaxial cable issue. Work in teams to propose solutions, considering the technology and resources available at the time. Present your findings and compare them with the actual solutions implemented by engineers like Luke Talley.
Reflect on the teamwork and collaboration required for the Apollo program’s success. Discuss how these principles can be applied to current engineering challenges. Share your thoughts on the legacy of the Apollo missions and their impact on modern space exploration.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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All engines running. Lift-off! We have a lift-off! 32 minutes past the hour, lift-off on Apollo 11. Tower clear.
The Saturn V rocket is one of the most amazing vehicles ever created by humans. If you could have one person explain the Saturn V to you, who would it be? Today on Smarter Every Day, we’re in the middle of a series about going back to the moon. We looked at how the Apollo astronauts trained to go back to the moon on something called the Lunar Lander Test Vehicle. We even spoke to one of the original engineers from that program. We also looked at one of NASA’s early ventures into autonomously landing on the moon, something called the Mighty Eagle.
We got to meet an engineer named Luke Talley. He was one of the original IBM engineers on the instrument unit, the large computer shaped like a ring near the top of the rocket that steered it towards the moon. Now it’s time to go deeper and understand the entire Saturn V rocket. Wernher von Braun said, “As the IU goes, so goes the Saturn.” That right there is Luke Talley. So there is no better person to explain how the Saturn V works than Luke. He understands how all three phases of this rocket work because the IU has to control the entire rocket.
Today we’re going to talk to Luke Talley in great detail. But before we do that, I want to tell you a little bit more about who Luke Talley is, because that will influence how you feel when receiving this information.
On November 10th, 1944, a young sailor from Alabama was killed in the Pacific Theater during World War II. This young sailor had a three-year-old boy and a wife back home in Alabama. This little boy turned out to be extremely curious. Like most boys of the time, he loved making crystal radios and similar projects. However, he couldn’t afford kits because they were bootstrapping everything and didn’t have a lot of money. Many people in the community helped him put together parts to make his own crystal radios, and it became clear that he had an aptitude for electronics.
This is why Luke was able to use his dad’s G.I. Bill, as his dad couldn’t use it. Luke went to the University of Alabama to study electrical engineering.
This is Luke and his wife, Kitty. This is Luke’s favorite picture in the entire world. They are all dressed up, and she’s sitting on the hood of a 57 Chevy. This is a cool picture because Luke and Kitty got married shortly after this photo, and he studied electrical engineering at the University of Alabama, which started his career.
After that, he went to IBM, where Luke became an award-winning engineer on the Apollo program. This is a plaque used at IBM as part of the Instrument Unit team, signed by Alan Shepard, recognizing Luke as an important contributor. Luke solved a significant problem on one of the early Apollo missions when a coaxial cable melted due to sun exposure on the way to the moon. Luke and his fellow engineers solved this issue, and he received an award for it.
This book, one of Luke’s most prized possessions, contains various memorabilia, including pictures of him and Kitty attending the launch and meet-and-greets with astronauts. Luke Talley is not just a normal engineer; he is an award-winning Apollo engineer.
As you can see, Luke Talley is the perfect person to teach us about the Saturn V. He has witnessed a launch, and the instrument unit he worked on had to interface with every component of the rocket that had a pyro-detonator or a rocket cut. They had to program everything, knowing exactly when it needed to fire.
So, I’m excited to introduce you once again to Luke Talley, who is going to teach us about the Saturn V. Let’s go get smarter every day.
We’re going to meet Luke here at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center early one morning before the museum opened. One thing you’ll notice is Luke’s ability to recall facts and numbers is astounding because he actually lived this experience. He moves pretty fast, so try to keep up.
We’re going to start at the first stage, then move to the second stage, then the third stage, and we’ll also discuss the launch escape system. Along the way, we’ll cover some other topics.
[Luke Starts Talking with a Southern Accent]
– I call this the mouth-dropping entrance of the Saturn Hall. You come in here and see these engines, each about 12 feet in diameter, producing one and a half million pounds of thrust each.
The four outer engines are gimballed, meaning they can move, controlled by the computer in the instrument unit, which is on top of the third stage during flight. The first stage will reach the speed of sound at about 60 seconds. Shortly after that, you experience maximum aerodynamic pressure on this vehicle, and it feels like two giant hands shaking it for all it’s worth.
Each of the engines can move within a five-degree circle. As we go through the speed of sound and reach maximum aerodynamic pressure, we would see them move about one and a half degrees, which is the most we ever saw move most of the time, except during a half-vibration period when they would move about half a degree. This movement is what steers the rocket.
These engines are so powerful that if you move them too quickly, you risk breaking the rocket.
What are these engines called?
These are called F-1 engines.
Each of these engines burns a ton of kerosene and two tons of liquid oxygen every second. So, collectively, these five engines burn 15 tons of propellant every second. The mass of this rocket changes rapidly, affecting its bending modes.
Each of the four outer engines can move, while the center engine is fixed. They use hydraulic actuators controlled by the computer in the instrument unit, utilizing kerosene as their hydraulic fluid. This design saves weight and complexity.
Reliability is the number one concern in this system. With about five million parts, each part must have a very high reliability rate to ensure mission success.
The thrust chamber of the engine is made of Inconel, a corrosion-resistant alloy. The combustion chamber reaches temperatures of 5900 degrees, which would melt most materials. To cool the engine, kerosene is routed through fine tubes running down the thrust chamber, cooling it before it burns.
The injector plate has about 6000 holes, some for kerosene and some for liquid oxygen.
The first stage burns for two and a half minutes, taking the rocket up to about 40 miles high and 5000 miles an hour. At that altitude, the rocket is still climbing when the stages separate.
The first stage is a significant portion of the rocket’s mass, but it gets you through the atmosphere and up to speed.
As we walk beneath the rocket, you’ll notice smooth and corrugated sections. The smooth section above us is the fuel tank, made from aluminum plates that are welded together with precision.
The fuel tank must withstand upward forces and internal pressure, which is why the inner tank areas are made with lighter corrugated material.
The liquid oxygen tank is above the kerosene tank, and the pipes that run between them are designed to prevent the kerosene from freezing.
The second stage burns liquid hydrogen, which is more efficient but requires careful handling due to its low temperature.
The J-2 engines on the second stage burn about 600 pounds of propellant per second to produce 230,000 pounds of thrust.
The third stage has only one engine, and while it can pitch and yaw, it cannot roll. For roll control, there are auxiliary thrusters.
The third stage will burn for about two minutes, reaching speeds of 17,500 miles an hour to put the spacecraft into orbit.
After the crew separates from the rocket, the third stage is targeted for a controlled descent, ensuring it does not collide with the spacecraft.
The instrument unit, located on top of the third stage, controls the entire rocket.
Luke shares his experiences working on the Apollo program and reflects on the teamwork and dedication of the many individuals involved.
Thank you for watching this video. I hope you enjoyed it. Luke is an amazing guy, and hearing him talk is a privilege. If you want to see more, check out the extended version of this interview on the second channel.
A special thank you to Kitty Talley, Luke’s late wife, who was a significant support in his life and career.
Thank you to everyone who supports Smarter Every Day on Patreon. Feel free to subscribe if you’re interested in this type of content.
I’m Destin, and you’re getting Smarter Every Day. Have a great day!
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This version removes any sensitive or personal information while retaining the informative content of the original transcript.
Rocket – A vehicle or device propelled by one or more rocket engines, typically used to transport payloads into space. – The engineering team worked tirelessly to ensure the rocket’s systems were optimized for the upcoming launch.
Engineering – The application of scientific and mathematical principles to design and build structures, machines, and systems. – Engineering students often collaborate on projects to solve complex problems using innovative solutions.
Thrust – The force exerted by a rocket engine to propel a vehicle forward, overcoming gravitational and atmospheric resistance. – Calculating the required thrust is crucial for determining the rocket’s ability to reach its intended altitude.
Fuel – A substance consumed to produce energy, typically used to power engines or other machinery. – The efficiency of the rocket’s fuel directly impacts its payload capacity and range.
Trajectory – The path followed by a projectile or object moving under the influence of external forces, such as gravity and air resistance. – Engineers must accurately predict the trajectory to ensure the satellite reaches its designated orbit.
Atmosphere – The layer of gases surrounding a planet, which can affect the motion and behavior of objects moving through it. – Understanding the atmosphere’s composition is essential for designing spacecraft that can withstand re-entry conditions.
Orbit – The curved path of an object around a star, planet, or moon, typically resulting from the gravitational pull of the larger body. – The satellite was successfully placed into a geostationary orbit, allowing it to maintain a fixed position relative to the Earth’s surface.
Electronics – The branch of physics and engineering concerned with the design and application of circuits and devices using electric currents. – Advanced electronics are crucial for the precise control and navigation of modern spacecraft.
Missions – Planned operations or journeys, often involving spacecraft, with specific objectives such as exploration or data collection. – The success of interplanetary missions relies heavily on accurate calculations and robust engineering designs.
Teamwork – The collaborative effort of a group to achieve a common goal, often essential in complex projects like spacecraft development. – Effective teamwork among engineers and scientists is vital for the successful completion of space missions.
