S-IC

High school (ages 12+)
Transportation

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/s-ic

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the rocket stage designation?First stage of the Saturn V launch vehicle
2. What is the prime contractor?The Boeing Company
3. What is the S-IC and why is it important?The S‑IC is the first stage of the Saturn V rocket. It is the giant booster that lifts the whole vehicle off the launchpad and gets it past Earth’s atmosphere.
4. How big is the S-IC compared to everyday buildings?It stands about 138 feet tall and is 33 feet wide. That’s taller than most skyscrapers and wider than many cars.

Liquid-Propellant Rocket Engine: A rocket engine that uses a liquid propellant, typically a fuel and an oxidizer stored separately.
Atmospheric Drag: The resistance force caused by the movement of an object through the Earth's atmosphere.
Staging: The process of discarding spent rocket stages during ascent to reduce weight and improve efficiency.