Saturn C-8

Nova (early name) Saturn C8

Mission Profile

The Saturn C-8 (Nova, Saturn C8) was a proposed three-stage American super-heavy launch vehicle concept in the Saturn family, the largest Saturn variant studied for direct-ascent lunar missions under the Apollo programme. Standing approximately 114 m tall with a massive 12.2 m core diameter, it would have used eight F-1 engines in the first stage. Conceived around 1965, the Saturn C-8 was the leading candidate for a direct lunar landing before the lunar orbit rendezvous decision made the smaller Saturn V sufficient for Apollo.