The Apollo 11 Model
for the WSW 2002 Constantine Salon
by Mustapha Derradji
We report here on a project carried out within the World Space Week celebration in Algeria and used at the First National Constantine Salon on Popular Astronomy held at Constantine to celebrate the WSW. See the World Space Week official site for details
It consisted of building a mock up of Saturn V, that rocket which carried the Apollo 11 team to the Moon and back, and which fired up the imagination of generations of people who witnessed its launching, as well as the later generations who didn't. The Moon's adventure was indeed a momentous event of twentieth century history, and perhaps the most marking one in the history of Mankind. It launched numerous careers in Space sciences and Astronomy. It was not only epoch making, it stands as a turning point in the history of Mankind!
  The Saturn V Poster
   Early on, a large fine poster was realized by one member of the Sirius Association, Chamseddine MOUATSI, detailing the various stages of the rocket and the ignition sequence. It was relied upon partially to make the model to its correct scale.

What Kind of Model and For What Uses?
  The idea was to have a handsome and accurate model which could be used at various events, at schools, cultural centers, so it had to be foldable and sturdy! It should help explain the Apollo adventure in an attractive way.
The first and second stage were realized in PVC while the connecting parts and the motor's nozzles where in plain wood, machined with the lathe I use for my carpentry work.

 

Displaying It

   The model was actually displayed at the WSW Salon as well as used in the course given on the Apollo mission at the meeting of the Association during the World Space Week.
It was also used during that week at the Ahbab al-Rahman” nursery school as part of their special space week activities.
More Pictures
(Assembly & disassembly)

Even More Pictures


Talk given by a University professor on the history of the Apollo program

Displaying it at a kindergarten school

The Association's group picture
Developing basic modeling skills