Saturn V Apollo rocket, illustration. The Saturn V was the launch vehicle for NASA's Apollo programme of manned missions to the Moon between 1968 and 1972. From bottom, the rocket consisted of the first stage, equipped with five F-1 engines and fuel used during take-off. The second stage possessed five J-2 engines which boosted the rocket through the upper atmosphere, while the third stage, S-IVB, had one J-2 engine and set the craft on its course to the Moon. The Lunar Module was housed in a compartment above the third stage. The Service Module was located above the lunar module, and connected to the conical Command Module containing the crew. The rocket was topped by the Launch Escape System tower.