|
Date of launch (ETR launch complex): |
May 14, 1973 (39A) |
|
Spacecraft/mission designation: |
Skylab 1 |
|
Launch vehicle designation (class): |
SA-513 (Saturn V) |
|
Spacecraft weight (kg): | |
|
Apollo Telescope Mount |
= 11181 |
|
Airlock Module |
= 22 226 |
|
Multiple Docking Adapter |
= 6260 |
|
Orbital Workshop |
= 35 380 |
|
Instrument Unit |
= 2041 |
|
Total |
= 77 088 |
|
Spacecraft shape, dimensions (m): | |
|
Orbital Workshop |
cylindrical with 2 rectangular solar panels |
|
diameter, 6.58 | |
|
length, 14.6 | |
|
habitable volume, 295.26 cu m | |
|
Airlock Module: |
cylindrical |
|
diameter, 6.55 | |
|
length, 5.36 | |
|
Multiple Docking Adapter: |
cylindrical |
|
diameter, 3.05 | |
|
length, 5.27 | |
|
habitable volume, 32.33 cu m | |
|
Apollo Telescope Mount: |
octagonal with 4 solar arrays |
|
diameter, 3.35 | |
|
height, 4.44 | |
|
Instrument Unit: |
cylindrical |
|
diameter, 6.6 | |
|
height, .914 | |
|
Apogee/perigee at insertion (km): |
431.5 x 433.7 |
|
No. of orbits: |
34 981 |
|
Period: |
approx. 93 min. |
|
Reentry: |
July 11, 1979 |
|
Length of mission: |
actively used 8 mos., 24 days (until Feb. 8, 1974) |
|
in orbit 6 yrs., 1 mo., 27 days (until July 11, 1979) | |
|
Mission calendar (date, time): | ||
|
. | ||
|
launch of Skylab workshop |
May 14, 1973 |
1:30 p.m. EDT |
|
launch of Skylab 2 crew |
May 25, 1973 |
9:00 a.m. EDT |
|
return of Skylab 2 crew |
June 22, 1973 |
9:49:48 a.m. EDT |
|
launch of Skylab 3 crew |
July 28, 1973 |
7:10:50 a.m. EDT |
|
return of Skylab 3 crew |
Sept. 25, 1973 |
6:19:54 p.m. EDT |
|
launch of Skylab 4 crew |
Nov. 16, 1973 |
9:01:23 a.m. EST |
|
return of Skylab 4 crew |
Feb. 8, 1974 |
10:16:54 a.m. EST |
|
reentry of Skylab workshop |
July 11, 1979 |
11:37 a.m. EST |
|
Distance traveled: |
1.5 bill km |
|
Earth reentry footprint: |
a narrow band (approx. 4° wide) beginning at about 48°S, 87°E and ending at about 12°S, 144°E, over the Indian and Western Australia (debris found between Esperance and Rawlinna, 31-34°S, 122-126°E) |
|
Mission objectives: |
To place in earth orbit a laboratory to be visited by three Apollo crews. The program was established to determine man's ability to live and work in space for extended periods, to determine and evaluate man's physiological responses and aptitudes in a space environment and his post-flight adaption to the terrestrial environment, to extend the science of solar astronomy beyond the limits of earth-based observations, to develop improved techniques for surveying earth resources from space, and to expand knowledge in a variety of other scientific and technological regimes. |
|
Results: |
The laboratory was placed in the desired orbit, but during launch the meteoroid shield was torn off, which led to one of the workshop solar panels being torn off and the second one becoming jammed. The result was an increased heat load inside the workshop. The first crew to visit Skylab erected a parasol to protect the workshop's exposed areas from direct sunlight. Three crews (nine astronauts) visited Skylab over the next nine months, staying from 28 to 84 days and conducting a wide range of scientific experiments. The crewmen did not suffer physically or psychologically from their long visits. See also tables 2-49, through 2-51). |