Which rocket engine powered the Saturn V first stage? The answer is F-1. Each Saturn V S-IC first stage used five Rocketdyne F-1 engines, arranged in a cross-like pattern called a quincunx.
The F-1 was a huge liquid-propellant engine developed by Rocketdyne for the U.S. space program. It burned RP-1, a refined kerosene, with liquid oxygen as its oxidizer. At liftoff, the five engines together produced roughly 7.5 million pounds-force of thrust, driving the Saturn V through the dense lower atmosphere.
A common mix-up is the J-2, which powered the Saturn V's liquid-hydrogen-fueled S-II and S-IVB stages, not the first stage. The H-1 belonged to the Saturn I and IB family, while the RL10 was associated with upper-stage applications. The F-1 first flew on Apollo 4 in 1967 and was used through the final Saturn V launches.