"This project gathered such a tremendous amount of knowledge for developing man's conquest of space and for studying our planet."

-Bill Weaver (Aerospace Engineer at U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL)
SKYLAB KEY DATES_tr
Skylab Key Dates

What was Skylab all about?

Following the Apollo Moon landings , the experimental Skylab Space Station was in NASA’s own words: “(…) the most ambitious and long-lived manned space research effort yet undertaken.” 

NASA Publication by the Experiment Development and Payload Evaluation Project 

NASA, Skylab rocket launch

Skylab, America’s first manned space station launched on May 14, 1973.

PURPOSEto look at Earth, take measurements and decide how man can improve life thereon. Skylab was for NASA an important step in preparing for future routine space operations with the advent of the cheaper space shuttles. 

It was to probe the sun as the main source of energy and  evaluate man’s ability to live and work in space over long periods of time. 

Skylab 2

INVESTIGATIONS: set to embrace as many disciplines as possible that would take advantage of the unique properties of the orbital environment:

Over 1000 senior scientists and engineers were  involved in the analysis and the reporting of Skylab data.

Skylab 2

INVESTIGATIONS: set to embrace as many disciplines as possible that would take advantage of the unique properties of the orbital environment:

  • Unique view of the Earth
  • Weightlessness
  • No interference of the atmosphere

Over 1000 senior scientists and engineers were  involved in the analysis and the reporting of Skylab data.