Is NASA Ever Going to Build Another Saturn V?

The short answer is no. While NASA and Boeing are currently working on the Space Launch System (SLS) for the Artemis missions, there are specific reasons why rebuilding a Saturn V would be incredibly challenging and unnecessary.

Like Apollo, but Different

Spaceships are not exact copies of their predecessors. They are 'like' the Apollo spacecraft in that they carry astronauts into space, but they are different for a variety of reasons, including the materials and manufacturing processes that have advanced significantly since the time of the Saturn V.

There is no point in making a Saturn V replica today. New materials and manufacturing processes allow us to make more efficient and lighter spacecraft that are more durable and capable of doing the same jobs as the original Saturn V, but with fewer issues and lower costs. For example, SpaceX's Starship is designed to be mass-produced and reusable, with a manufacturing cost that could be comparable to a jumbo jet. This makes it a more viable and efficient option for space travel.

The Infeasibility of Rebuilding a Saturn V

Rebuilding a Saturn V today would be akin to building an entire new factory and then reverse engineering an F22 stealth fighter to recreate it but with modern specifications. It would be an immensely complex and costly endeavor, and it wouldn't even match the capabilities of the SLS or SpaceX's Falcon Heavy.

The SLS is designed to be a more cost-effective option for lunar travel. In fact, with ongoing improvements and advanced manufacturing techniques, the SLS could be much cheaper. If the SLS were to be launched twice a year, similar to the Saturn V during the Apollo missions, it would cost only about $2 billion per launch. Unfortunately, the SLS is being used as a continuation of the post-Apollo Space Transportation System, which is running counter to the advancements made in the decades since the original Saturn V.

Technological Superiority of Current Rockets

The Saturn V was a groundbreaking achievement, yet it faced numerous technical challenges. The most powerful rocket engines in the world today, such as the RD-180, still face technological limitations. However, companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin have managed to find innovative solutions that enable them to achieve similar or even greater thrust with fewer engines.

For example, the F-1 engines that powered the Saturn V delivered significantly more thrust than modern engines. Each F-1 engine provided nearly three times the thrust of a modern engine, allowing the Saturn V to have only five engines in its first stage compared to the thirty used in the Russian equivalent. In contrast, SpaceX's first stage of the Falcon Heavy has 33 engines, each delivering 2.4 MN of thrust.

Moreover, the Saturn V was incredibly expensive to launch, costing the equivalent of $10 billion in today's dollars. The SLS, on the other hand, is much more affordable. If the SLS were launched twice a year, it could cost only about $2 billion per launch.

Finding the Future of Space Exploration

The future of space exploration lies in advanced rockets like the SLS and SpaceX's Starship. These rockets are designed for mass production, reusability, and cost-effectiveness. SpaceX's Starship, for instance, has already made significant strides in becoming a more affordable and efficient launch vehicle. It is expected to achieve its final manufacturing cost objectives in the near future, making space exploration more accessible and scalable.

In conclusion, while the Saturn V was an engineering marvel, rebuilding it today is both unnecessary and impractical. The advancements in materials, manufacturing processes, and rocket technology have enabled us to create more efficient and cost-effective options for space exploration.