Piece of iconic Saturn 1B Rocket coming to Tennessee

SPRINGFIELD, Tenn. (WKRN) — Part of an iconic landmark that greeted beachgoers and travelers at the Tennessee-Alabama state line will now take its own trip down I-65 for a new home.

Nearly 44 year ago, the Saturn 1B Rocket was installed at the Ardmore Welcome Center along I-65 in Alabama. However, in 2023, work began to dismantle the rocket from its longtime home due to continuing deterioration and decay.

On Tuesday, one of the main engines from the rocket will be transported to the Gateway STEM Center in Springfield, which is a nonprofit that helps encourage kids to carry out careers in STEM.

Robert Dillard, founder of Gateway STEM Center, said the nonprofit is thrilled to have acquired one of the engines from Saturn 1B.

“We are thrilled to bring a piece of space history that many of us adults grew up seeing driving down I-65 to Alabama,” said Robert Dillard. “We are excited for the students to have a chance to engage in space exploration; to be the next generation to go back to the moon and beyond. Plus, there are already businesses in Springfield, like Airtech, that are actively engaged and supporting those missions.”

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According to NASA , Saturn 1B was part of the Apollo program and first launched into orbit in 1966 to train for manned flights to the moon.

A piece of the rocket’s space engine will be on display at the Gateway STEM Center located at 4917 Highway 41 N Suite 130 in Springfield.

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