American Crew of Apollo-Soyuz Mission
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Apollo Project (U.S.)
Project Apollo (U.S.)
Apollo Soyuz Test Project
Slayton, Deke, 1924-1993
Slayton, Donald K., 1924-1993
Stafford, Thomas P.
Stafford, Tom
Brand, Vance
Astronauts--United States
The American crew of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) was composed of, from left to right, Astronaut Deke Slayton (1924-1993), first-time Astronaut Vance DeVoe Brand as Command Module Pilot, and veteran Astronaut Thomas "Tom" Patten Stafford as Commander. Brand was the only member of the original Mercury 7 never to fly previously. Slayton had been grounded because of an irregular heart beat since Project Mercury and was National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Director of Flight Crew Operations, but was given clearance for this flight. These three astronauts became the first crew to dock with another nation's spacecraft, the the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics' (USSR) Soyuz 19, thus establishing a precedent for international cooperation in space. This image was autographed for Dr. Cal Fowler (1929-2013), who had pressed the button to ignite the engines of three Mercury-Atlas missions.
Original color photographic print: Private Collection of Dr. Calvin D. Fowler.
Fowler, Calvin "Cal" D.
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Launch Complex 39B, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida
Apollo-Soyuz Test Project
Apollo Soyuz Test Project
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Apollo Project (U.S.)
Project Apollo (U.S.)
Soyuz spacecraft
An artist's rendering of the docking of spacecraft in the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP). The project was an experiment in cooperation and mating of different technologies from both the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The Apollo spacecraft was launched from Launch Complex 39B at John F. Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island, Florida using a Saturn IB booster and docked to a Soyuz 19 spacecraft from July 15-17, 1975. Soyuz 19 was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome, near present-day Tyuratam, Kazakhstan. The Soviet spacecraft was in orbit for five days. This successful mission led to cooperation on other projects including the International Space Station (ISS).
Original color photographic print: Private Collection of Dr. Calvin D. Fowler.
Fowler, Calvin "Cal" D.
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Launch Complex 39B, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida
Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
Skylab 4 Liftoff
John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center
Merritt Island (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Skylab Program
The liftoff of Skylab 4 (SL-4) from Launch Pad 39B of John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. As Project Apollo was winding down and the final three missions (Apollo 18, Apollo 19, and Apollo 20) were canceled, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) looked for ways to repurpose launch vehicles and other equipment. Out of this, Skylab and three space science missions were born. Skylab was conceived by famed rocket designer, Wernher von Braun (1912-1977), to use an unused upper-stage fuel tank and convert it to an orbital laboratory. This was necessitated by NASA's budget being slashed. With the tank becoming the basis of the space station, NASA added solar arrays, a docking adapter, and a space observatory. The Skylab missions were constituted of one mission to put the station in space (Skylab 1), using a modified and last Saturn V to launch, and three crewed missions (Skylab 2, Skylab 3, and Skylab 4) to occupy the lab and perform science, using the smaller Saturn IB booster to launch the three astronaut crews. When launched on May 14, 1973, the station encountered problems immediately. A micrometeoroid shield prematurely deployed and tore off one of the two main solar arrays. NASA engineers went to work and were able to save Skylab and the three crewed missions. Each of the subsequent missions set what were then endurance records for living in space and conducted substantial space science experiments. NASA tried to keep Skylab in orbit after SL-4 and until the Space Shuttle could boast its orbit, but with a decaying orbit, it crashed on July 11, 1979. Skylab 4 was launched from Launch Complex 39B on November 16, 1973, using what was jokingly referred to as a "milk stool" to adapt the launcher to the smaller Saturn IB booster. SL-4's crew consisted of Mission Commander Gerald P. Carr (1932-), Command Module Pilot William R. Pogue (1930-2014), and Science Pilot Edward Gibson (1936-). The mission set a then endurance record of more than 84 days in space.
Original black and white photographic prints, November 16, 1973: Larry Summers Collection.
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Launch Pad 39B, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida
Saturn IB Booster for Apollo 7
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Fla.)
Cape Canaveral (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Apollo Project (U.S.)
Project Apollo (U.S.)
Apollo 7 (Spacecraft)
The Saturn IB used for the Apollo 7 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on October 11, 1968. It was an Earth orbital mission, which tested the improved Block 2 Command/Service Module (CSM). It was the first time the Apollo CSM had flown on a manned mission. This Apollo mission lasted ten days and tested many of the systems needed to accomplish the Moon landing. The crew included Commander Wally Schirra (1923-2007), Command Module Pilot Donn F. Eisele (1930-1987), and Lunar Module Pilot Walter Cunningham (1932-).
Original black and white photographic print, April 16, 1968: Space Walk of Fame Collection.
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Apollo 7 Launch
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Fla.)
Cape Canaveral (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Apollo Project (U.S.)
Project Apollo (U.S.)
Apollo 7 (Spacecraft)
Apollo 7 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) atop a Saturn IB booster on October 11, 1968. It was an Earth orbital mission, which tested the improved Block 2 Command/Service Module (CSM). It was the first time the Apollo CSM had flown on a manned mission. This Apollo mission lasted ten days and tested many of the systems needed to accomplish the Moon landing. The crew included Commander Wally Schirra (1923-2007), Command Module Pilot Donn F. Eisele (1930-1987), and Lunar Module Pilot Walter Cunningham (1932-).
Original black and white photographic print, October 11, 1968: Space Walk of Fame Collection.
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Still Image
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Apollo 7 Liftoff
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Fla.)
Cape Canaveral (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Apollo Project (U.S.)
Project Apollo (U.S.)
Apollo 7 (Spacecraft)
Apollo 7 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) atop a Saturn IB booster on October 11, 1968. It was an Earth orbital mission, which tested the improved Block 2 Command/Service Module (CSM). It was the first time the Apollo CSM had flown on a manned mission. This Apollo mission lasted ten days and tested many of the systems needed to accomplish the Moon landing. The crew included Commander Wally Schirra (1923-2007), Command Module Pilot Donn F. Eisele (1930-1987), and Lunar Module Pilot Walter Cunningham (1932-).
Original color photographic print, October 11, 1968: Leonard Pugh Collection.
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Apollo Command/Service Module Launch for Apollo-Soyuz Test Project
John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center
Merritt Island (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Apollo Project (U.S.)
Project Apollo (U.S.)
Apollo Soyuz Test Project
The Apollo Command/Service Module (CSM) launching from Saturn IB for the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP). On the final Apollo flight, a Saturn IB lifted the spacecraft aloft from Launch Complex 39B (LC-39B) at John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. This spacecraft eventually docked to a Soyuz 19 spacecraft from July 15-17, 1975, as part of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. ASTP was an experiment in cooperation and mating of different technologies from both the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Soyuz 19 was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome, near present-day Tyuratam, Kazakhstan. The Soviet spacecraft was in orbit for five days. This successful mission led to cooperation on other projects including the International Space Station (ISS).
Original color photographic print, July 15, 1975: Leonard Pugh Collection.
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Launch Pad 39B, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida
Saturn IB Launch
John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center
Merritt Island (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
A Saturn IB on the launch adapter of the mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39 (LC-39) of John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. This was one of the last Saturn IB boosters to launch from KSC as it was either a Skylab mission or Apollo-Soyuz. In total, the Saturn IB launched two unmanned Command/Service Module (CSM) suborbital flights, one unmanned Lunar Module (LM) orbital flight, and the first manned CSM orbital mission.
Original color photographic prints: Leonard Pugh Collection.
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Launch Pad 39B, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida
Apollo-Saturn IB Launch Vehicle of Skylab 3 Sits on Launch Pad 39B
John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center
Merritt Island (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Skylab Program
The Apollo-Saturn IB Launch Vehicle of Skylab 3 (SL-3) at Launch Pad 39B of John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. As Project Apollo was winding down and the final three missions (Apollo 18, Apollo 19, and Apollo 20) were canceled, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) looked for ways to repurpose launch vehicles and other equipment. Out of this, Skylab and three space science missions were born. Skylab was conceived by famed rocket designer, Wernher von Braun (1912-1977), to use an unused upper-stage fuel tank and convert it to an orbital laboratory. This was necessitated by NASA's budget being slashed. With the tank becoming the basis of the space station, NASA added solar arrays, a docking adapter, and a space observatory. The Skylab missions were constituted of one mission to put the station in space (Skylab 1), using a modified and last Saturn V to launch, and three crewed missions (Skylab 2, Skylab 3, and Skylab 4) to occupy the lab and perform science, using the smaller Saturn IB booster to launch the three astronaut crews. When launched on May 14, 1973, the station encountered problems immediately. A micrometeoroid shield prematurely deployed and tore off one of the two main solar arrays. NASA engineers went to work and were able to save Skylab and the three crewed missions. Each of the subsequent missions set what were then endurance records for living in space and conducted substantial space science experiments. NASA tried to keep Skylab in orbit after Skylab 4 (SL-4) and until the Space Shuttle could boast its orbit, but with a decaying orbit, it crashed on July 11, 1979. Skylab 3 (SL-3) was launched from Launch Complex 39B, using what was jokingly referred to as a "milk stool" to adapt the launcher to the smaller Saturn IB booster.
Original black and white photographic print, June 11, 1973: Larry Summers Collection.
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Launch Pad 39B, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida
Skylab 4 Liftoff
John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center
Merritt Island (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Skylab Program
The liftoff of Skylab 4 (SL-4) from Launch Pad 39B of John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. As Project Apollo was winding down and the final three missions (Apollo 18, Apollo 19, and Apollo 20) were canceled, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) looked for ways to repurpose launch vehicles and other equipment. Out of this, Skylab and three space science missions were born. Skylab was conceived by famed rocket designer, Wernher von Braun (1912-1977), to use an unused upper-stage fuel tank and convert it to an orbital laboratory. This was necessitated by NASA's budget being slashed. With the tank becoming the basis of the space station, NASA added solar arrays, a docking adapter, and a space observatory. The Skylab missions were constituted of one mission to put the station in space (Skylab 1), using a modified and last Saturn V to launch, and three crewed missions (Skylab 2, Skylab 3, and Skylab 4) to occupy the lab and perform science, using the smaller Saturn IB booster to launch the three astronaut crews. When launched on May 14, 1973, the station encountered problems immediately. A micrometeoroid shield prematurely deployed and tore off one of the two main solar arrays. NASA engineers went to work and were able to save Skylab and the three crewed missions. Each of the subsequent missions set what were then endurance records for living in space and conducted substantial space science experiments. NASA tried to keep Skylab in orbit after SL-4 and until the Space Shuttle could boast its orbit, but with a decaying orbit, it crashed on July 11, 1979. Skylab 4 was launched from Launch Complex 39B on November 16, 1973, using what was jokingly referred to as a "milk stool" to adapt the launcher to the smaller Saturn IB booster. SL-4's crew consisted of Mission Commander Gerald P. Carr (1932-), Command Module Pilot William R. Pogue (1930-2014), and Science Pilot Edward Gibson (1936-). The mission set a then endurance record of more than 84 days in space.
Original black and white photographic prints, November 16, 1973: Larry Summers Collection.
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Launch Pad 39B, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida
Skylab 4 Saturn IB at Launch Pad 39B
John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center
Merritt Island (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Skylab Program
The Skylab 4 (SL-4) Saturn IB launch vehicle at Launch Pad 39B of John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. As Project Apollo was winding down and the final three missions (Apollo 18, Apollo 19, and Apollo 20) were canceled, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) looked for ways to repurpose launch vehicles and other equipment. Out of this, Skylab and three space science missions were born. Skylab was conceived by famed rocket designer, Wernher von Braun (1912-1977), to use an unused upper-stage fuel tank and convert it to an orbital laboratory. This was necessitated by NASA's budget being slashed. With the tank becoming the basis of the space station, NASA added solar arrays, a docking adapter, and a space observatory. The Skylab missions were constituted of one mission to put the station in space (Skylab 1), using a modified and last Saturn V to launch, and three crewed missions (Skylab 2, Skylab 3, and Skylab 4) to occupy the lab and perform science, using the smaller Saturn IB booster to launch the three astronaut crews. When launched on May 14, 1973, the station encountered problems immediately. A micrometeoroid shield prematurely deployed and tore off one of the two main solar arrays. NASA engineers went to work and were able to save Skylab and the three crewed missions. Each of the subsequent missions set what were then endurance records for living in space and conducted substantial space science experiments. NASA tried to keep Skylab in orbit after SL-4 and until the Space Shuttle could boast its orbit, but with a decaying orbit, it crashed on July 11, 1979. Skylab 4 was launched from Launch Complex 39B on November 16, 1973, using what was jokingly referred to as a "milk stool" to adapt the launcher to the smaller Saturn IB booster. SL-4's crew consisted of Mission Commander Gerald P. Carr (1932-), Command Module Pilot William R. Pogue (1930-2014), and Science Pilot Edward Gibson (1936-). The mission set a then endurance record of more than 84 days in space.
Original black and white photographic print: Larry Summers Collection.
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Launch Pad 39B, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida
Skylab 4 Saturn IB Launch Vehicle Inspection at Launch Pad 39B
John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center
Merritt Island (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Skylab Program
An inspection of Skylab 4's Saturn IB launch vehicle at Launch Pad 39B of John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. As Project Apollo was winding down and the final three missions (Apollo 18, Apollo 19, and Apollo 20) were canceled, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) looked for ways to repurpose launch vehicles and other equipment. Out of this, Skylab and three space science missions were born. Skylab was conceived by famed rocket designer, Wernher von Braun (1912-1977), to use an unused upper-stage fuel tank and convert it to an orbital laboratory. This was necessitated by NASA's budget being slashed. With the tank becoming the basis of the space station, NASA added solar arrays, a docking adapter, and a space observatory. The Skylab missions were constituted of one mission to put the station in space (Skylab 1), using a modified and last Saturn V to launch, and three crewed missions (Skylab 2, Skylab 3, and Skylab 4) to occupy the lab and perform science, using the smaller Saturn IB booster to launch the three astronaut crews. When launched on May 14, 1973, the station encountered problems immediately. A micrometeoroid shield prematurely deployed and tore off one of the two main solar arrays. NASA engineers went to work and were able to save Skylab and the three crewed missions. Each of the subsequent missions set what were then endurance records for living in space and conducted substantial space science experiments. NASA tried to keep Skylab in orbit after Skylab 4 (SL-4) and until the Space Shuttle could boast its orbit, but with a decaying orbit, it crashed on July 11, 1979. Skylab 4 (SL-4) was launched from Launch Complex 39B on November 16, 1973, using what was jokingly referred to as a "milk stool" to adapt the launcher to the smaller Saturn IB booster. Skylab 4 (SL-4)'s crew consisted of Mission Commander Gerald P. Carr (1932-), Command Module Pilot William R. Pogue (1930-2014), and Science Pilot Edward Gibson (1936-). The mission set a then endurance record of more than 84 days in space.
Original black and white photographic prints, November 7, 1973: Larry Summers Collection.
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John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida
Skylab 3 Preparing for Launch on Launch Pad 39B
John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center
Merritt Island (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Skylab Program
Skylab 3 (SL-3 preparing for launch on Launch Pad 39B of John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. As Project Apollo was winding down and the final three missions (Apollo 18, Apollo 19, and Apollo 20) were canceled, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) looked for ways to repurpose launch vehicles and other equipment. Out of this, Skylab and three space science missions were born. Skylab was conceived by famed rocket designer, Wernher von Braun (1912-1977), to use an unused upper-stage fuel tank and convert it to an orbital laboratory. This was necessitated by NASA's budget being slashed. With the tank becoming the basis of the space station, NASA added solar arrays, a docking adapter, and a space observatory. The Skylab missions were constituted of one mission to put the station in space (Skylab 1), using a modified and last Saturn V to launch, and three crewed missions (Skylab 2, Skylab 3, and Skylab 4) to occupy the lab and perform science, using the smaller Saturn IB booster to launch the three astronaut crews. When launched on May 14, 1973, the station encountered problems immediately. A micrometeoroid shield prematurely deployed and tore off one of the two main solar arrays. NASA engineers went to work and were able to save Skylab and the three crewed missions. Each of the subsequent missions set what were then endurance records for living in space and conducted substantial space science experiments. NASA tried to keep Skylab in orbit after Skylab 4 (SL-4) and until the Space Shuttle could boast its orbit, but with a decaying orbit, it crashed on July 11, 1979. Skylab 3 was launched from Launch Complex 39B, using what was jokingly referred to as a "milk stool" to adapt the launcher to the smaller Saturn IB booster. SL-3's crew consisted of Mission Commander Alan Bean (1932-), Command Module Pilot Jack R. Lousma (1936-), and Science Pilot Owen K. Garriott (1930-). Bean was also on Apollo 12.
Original black and white photographic print, July 27, 1973: Larry Summers Collection.
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Launch Pad 39B, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida
Skylab 2 Crew at Launch Pad 39B
John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center
Merritt Island (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Skylab Program
Kerwin, Joseph P., 1932-
Weitz, Paul
Conrad, Pete, 1930-1999
Conrad, Charles, 1930-1999
Astronauts--United States
The Skylab 2 crew in front of the Saturn IB launch vehicle at Launch Pad 39B of John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. As Project Apollo was winding down and the final three missions (Apollo 18, Apollo 19, and Apollo 20) were canceled, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) looked for ways to repurpose launch vehicles and other equipment. Out of this, Skylab and three space science missions were born. Skylab was conceived by famed rocket designer, Wernher von Braun (1912-1977), to use an unused upper-stage fuel tank and convert it to an orbital laboratory. This was necessitated by NASA's budget being slashed. With the tank becoming the basis of the space station, NASA added solar arrays, a docking adapter, and a space observatory. The Skylab missions were constituted of one mission to put the station in space (Skylab 1), using a modified and last Saturn V to launch, and three crewed missions (Skylab 2, Skylab 3, and Skylab 4) to occupy the lab and perform science, using the smaller Saturn IB booster to launch the three astronaut crews. When launched on May 14, 1973, the station encountered problems immediately. A micrometeoroid shield prematurely deployed and tore off one of the two main solar arrays. NASA engineers went to work and were able to save Skylab and the three crewed missions. Each of the subsequent missions set what were then endurance records for living in space and conducted substantial space science experiments. NASA tried to keep Skylab in orbit after Skylab 4 (SL-4) and until the Space Shuttle could boast its orbit, but with a decaying orbit, it crashed on July 11, 1979. Skylab 2 was launched from Launch Complex 39B, using what was jokingly referred to as a "milk stool" to adapt the launcher to the smaller Saturn IB booster. Skylab 2's crew consisted of Mission Commander Charles "Pete" Conrad, Jr.; Command Module Pilot Paul J. Weitz (1932-); Paul Joseph Weitz; and scientist Joseph P. Kerwin (1932-). Conrad was also Commander of Apollo 12.
Original black and white photographic print: Larry Summers Collection.
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Launch Pad 39B, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida
Apollo-Saturn IB Launch Vehicle of Skylab 3 Sits on Launch Pad 39B
John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center
Merritt Island (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Skylab Program
The Apollo-Saturn IB Launch Vehicle of Skylab 3 (SL-3) at Launch Pad 39B of John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. As Project Apollo was winding down and the final three missions (Apollo 18, Apollo 19, and Apollo 20) were canceled, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) looked for ways to repurpose launch vehicles and other equipment. Out of this, Skylab and three space science missions were born. Skylab was conceived by famed rocket designer, Wernher von Braun (1912-1977), to use an unused upper-stage fuel tank and convert it to an orbital laboratory. This was necessitated by NASA's budget being slashed. With the tank becoming the basis of the space station, NASA added solar arrays, a docking adapter, and a space observatory. The Skylab missions were constituted of one mission to put the station in space (Skylab 1), using a modified and last Saturn V to launch, and three crewed missions (Skylab 2, Skylab 3, and Skylab 4) to occupy the lab and perform science, using the smaller Saturn IB booster to launch the three astronaut crews. When launched on May 14, 1973, the station encountered problems immediately. A micrometeoroid shield prematurely deployed and tore off one of the two main solar arrays. NASA engineers went to work and were able to save Skylab and the three crewed missions. Each of the subsequent missions set what were then endurance records for living in space and conducted substantial space science experiments. NASA tried to keep Skylab in orbit after Skylab 4 (SL-4) and until the Space Shuttle could boast its orbit, but with a decaying orbit, it crashed on July 11, 1979. Skylab 3 (SL-3) was launched from Launch Complex 39B, using what was jokingly referred to as a "milk stool" to adapt the launcher to the smaller Saturn IB booster.
Original black and white photographic print, June 11, 1973: Larry Summers Collection.
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Launch Pad 39B, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida
Skylab 1 and Skylab 2 at Launch Pad 39A and Launch Pad 39B
John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center
Merritt Island (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Skylab Program
Skylab 1 and Skylab 2 before launch on Launch Pad 39A and Launch Pad 39B, contrasting the much larger Saturn V used for Skylab 1 (foreground) and smaller Saturn IB (background) at John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. Skylab 2 was supposed to fly 24 hours later than Skylab 1, but was delayed by damage the space station sustained on launch. This photograph was taken with a very small aperture to enhance depth of field so that both rockets appear in focus. As Project Apollo was winding down and the final three missions (Apollo 18, Apollo 19, and Apollo 20) were canceled, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) looked for ways to repurpose launch vehicles and other equipment. Out of this, Skylab and three space science missions were born. Skylab was conceived by famed rocket designer, Wernher von Braun (1912-1977), to use an unused upper-stage fuel tank and convert it to an orbital laboratory. This was necessitated by NASA's budget being slashed. With the tank becoming the basis of the space station, NASA added solar arrays, a docking adapter, and a space observatory. The Skylab missions were constituted of one mission to put the station in space (Skylab 1), using a modified and last Saturn V to launch, and three crewed missions (Skylab 2, Skylab 3, and Skylab 4) to occupy the lab and perform science, using the smaller Saturn IB booster to launch the three astronaut crews. When launched on May 14, 1973, the station encountered problems immediately. A micrometeoroid shield prematurely deployed and tore off one of the two main solar arrays. NASA engineers went to work and were able to save Skylab and the three crewed missions. Each of the subsequent missions set what were then endurance records for living in space and conducted substantial space science experiments. NASA tried to keep Skylab in orbit after Skylab 4 (SL-4) and until the Space Shuttle could boast its orbit, but with a decaying orbit, it crashed on July 11, 1979.
Original color photographic print: Larry Summers Collection.
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Launch Pad 39B, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida