Save The Apollo Launch Tower

LUT 1 - Apollo National Monument Proposed Dedication, July 16, 2009

"Near the horizon, a gleaming silver tower bathed in floodlights,
stood the last of the Saturn Vs, for almost twenty years a
national monument and place of pilgrimage.
-2001, A Space Odyssey -Sir Arthur C. Clarke

The bright red Apollo Launch Umbilical Tower (LUT) responsible for launching the most historic missions to the Moon can be restored and rebuilt now - before it rusts away to nothing. It is the most valuable structure of its type anywhere in the world. LUT 1 needs to be preserved because it was the specific tower which launched the most historically significant missions of the Apollo Program:

- Apollo 4 - The very first gargantuan Saturn V rocket to climb into the skies.

- Apollo 8 - The very first manned Saturn V and the very first time humans left the Earth's orbit. We circled the Moon for the very first time in history, bringing back the first view of the Earth rising over the horizon of another world.

- Apollo 11 - The historic mission to put the very first humans on to the surface of another planet.

- All three of the manned Skylab research missions.

- The very last Apollo mission where an American crew went to meet a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in orbit and show the world that in space, even the great enemies of the Cold War could work together in peace.

Of the three original LUTs, only LUT 1 had such an extraordinary series of historic missions. Would future generations forgive us if we do not preserve this valuable piece of our history while we still can?

LUT 1 heads the list of the National Parks Service, 26 Man in Space' sites which are Nationally Significant.

It was also registered on the National Trust for Historical Preservations list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, and we are working to have the LUT restored to that list in 2004.

Other than the tiny conical shaped Apollo Command Modules, virtually nothing remains of the actual flight hardware used to put men on the surface of the Moon. Even the three giant Saturn V vehicles at NASAs Space Centers in Texas, Alabama and Florida never actually flew. But this 443 ft tall launch tower is the authentic hardware and it survives still.

LUT 1 - Today - Dismantled

LUT 1 was dismantled in 1983 and is now slowly gathering rust behind the administration buildings at the Kennedy Space Center. However, right now it is still in good enough condition to restore and rebuild.

If we do not act soon though, this piece of mankind's history will be lost forever.

The Space Restoration Society aims to raise the public awareness of the plight of this historic structure while we can still restore and rebuild it to its original condition for the public to view and even to explore. We want LUT 1 restored as a National Monument to honor the incredible efforts and sacrifices of all those involved in the Apollo Program.

Please help show your support for this project by spending a few moments signing this petition.

Quote from 2001, A Space Odyssey used with kind permission of Sir Arthur C. Clarke

Apollo Image used with kind permission of Kipp Teague's Project Apollo Image Gallery

"LUT Today" image courtesy of Greg Katnik

Visit the Save The LUT website for more information about our efforts to save LUT 1

6525 Signatures

• Idit I
• Wendi T
• Charles K
• J A E
• Jason D M
• Lisa L. W
• Jason A
• Tom A. M
• Sam S
• Alex
• Brooke C
• STEVE J
• Tristan H
• Michael H. C

  • Comments
  • We must preserve history
• Dave V
• David F
• Paul K

  • Comments
  • This helps represent a positive part of US history
• Jaume F. G
• Mat

  • Comments
  • Don't destroy our history
• Bart P
• Robert W
• Alan M

  • Comments
  • The legacy of Apollo must be preserved!
• Larry W
• Richard R
• Randal T
• RDB
• David M
• B.J. W
• Desiree M. F
• Ed S
• John H
• Jeff I
• Richard K
• Torie V
• Charles B
• Christopher L
• Abbie M
• Terrence L. N
• Gerald M

  • Comments
  • It would be a travesty to send such an historical artifact to the recyclers.
• marc c

  • Comments
  • В
• Raymond C Rost J
• Leo de Y
• Michael C

  • Comments
  • 'We will never forget' must include all of our amazing accomplishments. Once the Tower is gone the only thing left is to forget,...that can't happen.
• Dom van der G
• Tim B
• David S
• ALin T
• Albert M
• Anthony G. S

  • Comments
  • Please do not allow this piece of history to be lost.
• Andrew F