National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
The crew of Apollo 17, Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt (1935-), Command Module Pilot Ronald Evans (1933-1990), and Mission Commander Eugene Cernan (1934-), with a lunar rover at Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A). with the Saturn V booster and Apollo Command/Service Module. On December 7, 1972, Apollo 17 became the first night launch of an American human spaceflight and was also the last manned launch of a Saturn V rocket. During the 12-day mission, astronauts conducted observations, experiments, and sample-gathering from the Moon. Apollo 17 broke a number of previous records, such as the longest manned lunar landing flight, the longest total lunar surface extravehicular activities, the largest lunar sample return, and the longest time in lunar orbit.
Original black and white photographic print, August 28, 1972: Larry Summers Collection.
Chronopoints
Launch Complex 39A, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida
Astronaut Eugene Cernan With Wife and Daughter
Apollo 17 Mission Commander Eugene Cernan (1934-) with his wife, Barbara Cernan, and his daughter, Teresa Cernan, after a lunar landing training session at John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. On December 7, 1972, Apollo 17 became the first night launch of an American human spaceflight and was also the last manned launch of a Saturn V rocket. During the 12-day mission, astronauts conducted observations, experiments, and sample-gathering from the Moon. Apollo 17 broke a number of previous records, such as the longest manned lunar landing flight, the longest total lunar surface extravehicular activities, the largest lunar sample return, and the longest time in lunar orbit. The Apollo 17 crew consisted of Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt (1935-), Cernan, and Command Module Pilot Ronald Evans (1933-1990).
Original black and white photographic print, August 15, 1972: Larry Summers Collection.
John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida
The massive Saturn V launch vehicle at Launch Complex 39A of John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. On December 7, 1972, Apollo 17 became the first night launch of an American human spaceflight and was also the last manned launch of a Saturn V rocket. During the 12-day mission, astronauts conducted observations, experiments, and sample-gathering from the Moon. Apollo 17 broke a number of previous records, such as the longest manned lunar landing flight, the longest total lunar surface extravehicular activities, the largest lunar sample return, and the longest time in lunar orbit. The Apollo 17 crew consisted of Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt (1935-), Commander Eugene Cernan (1934-), and Command Module Pilot Ronald Evans (1933-1990).
Original black and white photographic print, September 6, 1972: Larry Summers Collection.
Apollo 17 astronauts in front of a Saturn V launch vehicle being moved by crawler-transporter from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to Launch Complex 39A at John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. Photographed from left to right are Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt (1935-), Commander Eugene Cernan (1934-), and Command Module Pilot Ronald Evans (1933-1990). On December 7, 1972, Apollo 17 became the first night launch of an American human spaceflight and was also the last manned launch of a Saturn V rocket. During the 12-day mission, astronauts conducted observations, experiments, and sample-gathering from the Moon. Apollo 17 broke a number of previous records, such as the longest manned lunar landing flight, the longest total lunar surface extravehicular activities, the largest lunar sample return, and the longest time in lunar orbit.
Schirra, Walter M. (Walter Marty), 1923-2007
The Apollo 7 crew and support team having breakfast at John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida, before liftoff on October 11, 1968. Apollo 7 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. Photographed from left to right are Kenneth Kleinknecht, the Manager of Apollo Spacecraft Office; Command Module Pilot Donn F. Eisele (1930-1987); Mission Commander Wally Schirra (1923-2007); Deke Slayton (1924-1993), the Director Flight Crew Operations; an unidentified person; and Ronald Evans (1933-1990). Lunar Module Pilot Walter Cunningham (1932-) is not pictured here.
Original black and white photographic print, October 11, 1968: Leonard Pugh Collection.
Astronauts Load into Transfer Van for Apollo 7 Launch Demonstration Test
Mission Commander Wally Schirra (1923-2007), Command Module Pilot Donn F. Eisele (1930-1987), and Lunar Module Pilot Walter Cunningham (1932-) boarding a transfer van for a Launch Demonstration Test at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on October 11, 1968. Apollo 7 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.
Original black and white photographic print, September 17, 1968: Space Walk of Fame Collection.
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Cape Canaveral, Florida
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.
Launch Pad 39B, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida
Apollo 7 Astronauts Boarding a Transfer Van
Mission Commander Wally Schirra (1923-2007), Command Module Pilot Donn F. Eisele (1930-1987), and Lunar Module Pilot Walter Cunningham (1932-) boarding a transfer van before liftoff at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on October 11, 1968. Apollo 7 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.
Mission Commander Wally Schirra (1923-2007), Command Module Pilot Donn F. Eisele (1930-1987), and Lunar Module Pilot Walter Cunningham (1932-) holding up a sign during the last television transmission from Earth orbit. Apollo 7 launched 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.
Original black and white photographic print, October 21, 1968: Space Walk of Fame Collection.
Skylab 4 (SL-4) Command Module Pilot William R. Pogue (1930-2014) in front of a transfer van at 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-), Pogue, 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, November 8, 1973: Larry Summers Collection.
Mission Commander Wally Schirra (1923-2007), Command Module Pilot Donn F. Eisele (1930-1987), and Lunar Module Pilot Walter Cunningham (1932-) exiting the recovery helicopter aboard the USS Essex in the Atlantic Ocean. Apollo 7 launched 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.
Original black and white photographic print, October 22, 1968: Space Walk of Fame Collection.
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.
Skylab 4 Astronaut Edward Gibson Undergoing Medical Exam
Skylab 4 (SL-4) Science Pilot Edward Gibson (1936-) undergoing a medical exam before launch at Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. 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 and until the Space Shuttle could boast its orbit, but with a decaying orbit, it crashed on July 11, 1979. 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's crew consisted of Mission Commander Gerald P. Carr (1932-), Command Module Pilot William R. Pogue (1930-2014), and Gibson. The mission set a then endurance record of more than 84 days in space.
Original black and white photographic print, November 7, 1973: Larry Summers Collection.
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
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.
Original color photographic print, October 11, 1968: Leonard Pugh Collection.
Astronaut Frank Borman During a Simulated Altitude Chamber Test
Apollo 8 (AS-503) astronaut Frank Borman (1928-) entering the capsule during a simulated altitude chamber test at the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building (MSOB) (MSOB) at John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. Apollo 8 was the first manned launch of a Saturn V booster and mission to leave Earth orbit. It launched on December 21, 1968, with Commander Frank Borman (1928-), Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell (1928-), and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders (1933-). Apollo 8 was the first manned spacecraft to leave Earth's orbit, reach the Moon, and orbit and return safely to Earth. The crew became the first humans to travel beyond low Earth orbit, to see Earth as a whole planet, to directly see the far side of the Moon, and to witness Earthrise.
Original black and white photographic print, September 11, 1968: Space Walk of Fame Collection.
Manned Spacecraft Operations Building, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida
Astronaut Jim Lovell During Suit Test for Apollo 8
Apollo 8 (AS-503) astronaut Jim Lovell (1928-) during a suit test at John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. Apollo 8 was the first manned launch of a Saturn V booster and mission to leave Earth orbit. It launched on December 21, 1968, with Commander Frank Borman (1928-), Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell (1928-), and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders (1933-). Apollo 8 was the first manned spacecraft to leave Earth's orbit, reach the Moon, and orbit and return safely to Earth. The crew became the first humans to travel beyond low Earth orbit, to see Earth as a whole planet, to directly see the far side of the Moon, and to witness Earthrise.
Astronaut William Anders During Suit Test for Apollo 8
Apollo 8 (AS-503) astronaut William Anders (1933-) during a suit test at John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. Anders was scheduled to be the Lunar Module Pilot, but because of production delays, the Lunar Module (LM) was not flight yet ready for liftoff and Apollo 8's mission goals were changed. Apollo 8 was the first manned launch of a Saturn V booster and mission to leave Earth orbit. It launched on December 21, 1968, with Commander Frank Borman (1928-), Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell (1928-), and Lunar Module Pilot Anders. Apollo 8 was the first manned spacecraft to leave Earth's orbit, reach the Moon, and orbit and return safely to Earth. The crew became the first humans to travel beyond low Earth orbit, to see Earth as a whole planet, to directly see the far side of the Moon, and to witness Earthrise.
Original black and white photographic print, December 18, 1968: Space Walk of Fame Collection.
Apollo 8 (AS-503) astronaut Frank Borman (1928-) jogging at John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. Borman would command the mission launched three days after this photograph was taken. Apollo 8 was the first manned launch of a Saturn V booster and mission to leave Earth orbit. It launched on December 21, 1968, with Commander Borman, Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell (1928-), and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders (1933-). Apollo 8 was the first manned spacecraft to leave Earth's orbit, reach the Moon, and orbit and return safely to Earth. The crew became the first humans to travel beyond low Earth orbit, to see Earth as a whole planet, to directly see the far side of the Moon, and to witness Earthrise.
Apollo 8 Astronauts on the USS Yorktown After Splashdown
The crew of Apollo 8 (AS-503) stepping off of the recovery helicopter on the carrier USS Yorktown in the Pacific Ocean. Photographed from left to right are Jim Lovell (1928-), Frank Borman (1928-), and William Anders (1933-), who had just completed the first mission orbiting the Moon. Apollo 8 was the first manned launch of a Saturn V booster and mission to leave Earth orbit. It launched on December 21, 1968, with Commander Borman, Command Module Pilot Lovell, and Lunar Module Pilot Anders. Apollo 8 was the first manned spacecraft to leave Earth's orbit, reach the Moon, and orbit and return safely to Earth. The crew became the first humans to travel beyond low Earth orbit, to see Earth as a whole planet, to directly see the far side of the Moon, and to witness Earthrise.
Original black and white photographic print, December 28, 1968: Space Walk of Fame Collection.
Frank Borman During Suit Test for Apollo 8
Apollo 8 (AS-503) Commander Frank Borman (1928-) during a suit test at John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. Apollo 8 was the first manned launch of a Saturn V booster and mission to leave Earth orbit. It launched on December 21, 1968, with Borman, Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell (1928-), and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders (1933-). Apollo 8 was the first manned spacecraft to leave Earth's orbit, reach the Moon, and orbit and return safely to Earth. The crew became the first humans to travel beyond low Earth orbit, to see Earth as a whole planet, to directly see the far side of the Moon, and to witness Earthrise.
Original black and white photographic prints, December 11, 1968: Space Walk of Fame Collection.
Jim Lovell in the White Room Before Boarding Apollo 8
Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell (1928-) speaking to the closeout crew in the white room before entering the Apollo 8 (AS-503) capsule. Apollo 8 was the first manned launch of a Saturn V booster and mission to leave Earth orbit. It launched on December 21, 1968, with Commander Frank Borman (1928-), Lovell, and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders (1933-). Apollo 8 was the first manned spacecraft to leave Earth's orbit, reach the Moon, and orbit and return safely to Earth. The crew became the first humans to travel beyond low Earth orbit, to see Earth as a whole planet, to directly see the far side of the Moon, and to witness Earthrise.
Original black and white photographic print, December 21, 1968: Space Walk of Fame Collection.
An artist's rendering of the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project (ASTP). The Apollo crew consisted of Docking Module Pilot Deke Slayton (1924-1993) (1924-1993), Mission Commander Thomas Stafford (1930-), and Command/Service Module Pilot Vance de. Brand. The Soyuz crew consisted of Commander Alexey Leonov (1934-), Flight Engineer Valeri Nikolayevich Kubasov (1935-2014). Both spacecraft launched on July 15, 1975, within hours of each other, with the first being the Soyuz 19 from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and the Apollo from Launch Pad 39B at John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. The two spacecraft docked on July 17 and undocked on July 19, with crews conducting joint science experiments. They also spent time giving tours of each other's spacecraft to television audiences and formal and informal gift exchanges. Afterward, the undocking the Soyuz spent an additional day carrying out experiments and landed on July 21. The Apollo crew also stayed in orbit and conducted space science and Earth observation landing in the Pacific Ocean on July 24.
Original color print: Leonard Pugh Collection.
Launch Complex 39B, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida
Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
The American and Soviet crews of the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project (ASTP). The Apollo crew consisted of Docking Module Pilot Deke Slayton (1924-1993) (1924-1993), Mission Commander Thomas Stafford (1930-), and Command/Service Module Pilot Vance de. Brand. The Soyuz crew consisted of Commander Alexey Leonov (1934-), Flight Engineer Valeri Nikolayevich Kubasov (1935-2014). Both spacecraft launched on July 15, 1975, within hours of each other, with the first being the Soyuz 19 from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and the Apollo from Launch Pad 39B at John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. The two spacecraft docked on July 17 and undocked on July 19, with crews conducting joint science experiments. They also spent time giving tours of each other's spacecraft to television audiences and formal and informal gift exchanges. Afterward, the undocking the Soyuz spent an additional day carrying out experiments and landed on July 21. The Apollo crew also stayed in orbit and conducted space science and Earth observation landing in the Pacific Ocean on July 24.
Original color photographic print: Leonard Pugh Collection.
Apollo Command/Service Module Launch for 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.
President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon at Patrick Air Force Base
Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous), 1913-1994
Nixon, Thelma Catherine Patricia Ryan, 1912-1993
President Richard Nixon (1913-1994) accompanied by his wife, Pat Nixon (1912-1993), greeting citizens at Patrick Air Force Base with Marine One in the background. Nixon arrived with his wife and his daughter, Patricia "Tricia" Nixon (1946-), to watch the launch of Apollo 12 on November 14, 1969. Apollo 12 was the second mission which landed men on the moon and the first to bring a color television camera to the lunar surface, but transmission was lost after Bean accidently destroyed the camera by pointing it at the Sun. The mission crew was composed of Mission Commander Pete Conrad (1930-1999)
Command Module Pilot Richard F. Gordon, Jr. (1929-)
and Lunar Module Pilot Alan Bean (1932-). The mission gathered samples, deployed equipment to perform experiments, and retrieved parts of the Surveyor 3 lander probe, which had been on the Moon's surface since April 20, 1967. The significance of the recovery of Surveyor III parts allowed scientist to examine the long term effects of the lunar environment on spacecraft.
Original color photographic print, November 14, 1969: Leonard Pugh Collection.
Apollo 8 (AS-503) on Launch Pad 39A of John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. Apollo 8 was the first manned launch of a Saturn V booster and mission to leave Earth orbit. It launched on December 21, 1968, with Commander Frank Borman (1928-), Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell (1928-), and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders (1933-). Apollo 8 was the first manned spacecraft to leave Earth's orbit, reach the Moon, and orbit and return safely to Earth. The crew became the first humans to travel beyond low Earth orbit, to see Earth as a whole planet, to directly see the far side of the Moon, and to witness Earthrise. In this photograph, the spacecraft sits on the mobile launcher weeks before liftoff.
Original color photographic print, December 8, 1968: Leonard Pugh Collection.
One of the first three test flights of the Saturn I booster. Here, it is depicted as it has lifted off from Launch Complex 34 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Saturn I was the first heavy-lift dedicated space launcher used in the United States. The Saturn I rocket was designed to launch payloads into low Earth orbit and was the most powerful launch vehicle used by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to date. The rocket was used for testing rocket motor technology, aerodynamics, flight control and mockups (boilerplate) versions of the Apollo Command/Service Modules. Ten Saturn I rockets were flown until the model was replaced by the Saturn IB.
Original black and white photographic print: Leonard Pugh Collection.
Launch Complex 34, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Cape Canaveral, Florida
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.
First Launch of Apollo-Saturn Configuration
The first Apollo-Saturn launch vehicle as it sat on Launch Pad 37B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) in Cape Canaveral, Florida, before its launch on May 28, 1964. Saturn I was the first heavy-lift dedicated space launcher used in the United States. The Saturn I rocket was designed to launch payloads into low Earth orbit and was the most powerful launch vehicle used by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to date. The rocket was used for testing rocket motor technology, aerodynamics, flight control and mockups (boilerplate) versions of the Apollo Command/Service Modules. Ten Saturn I rockets were flown until the model was replaced by the Saturn IB.
Original black and white photographic print, April 24, 1964: Leonard Pugh Collection.
Saturn I Booster with Boilerplate Apollo Command/Service Module
A Saturn I launching from Launch Complex 37 of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Saturn I was the first heavy-lift dedicated space launcher used in the United States. The Saturn I rocket was designed to launch payloads into low Earth orbit and was the most powerful launch vehicle used by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to date. The rocket was used for testing rocket motor technology, aerodynamics, flight control and mockups (boilerplate) versions of the Apollo Command/Service Modules. Ten Saturn I rockets were flown until the model was replaced by the Saturn IB.
A Saturn V booster next to the service tower at John F. Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A in Merritt Island, Florida. The Saturn V was the most powerful launch vehicle ever used, with 7.7 million pounds of thrust. The rocket was used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from 1966 to 1973 to launch spacecraft for Project Apollo and later to launch Skylab, the first American space station.
Apollo-Saturn V Launch Vehicle on Launch Pad 39A
An Apollo-Saturn V booster next to the service tower at John F. Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A in Merritt Island, Florida. The Saturn V was the most powerful launch vehicle ever used, with 7.7 million pounds of thrust. The rocket was used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from 1966 to 1973 to launch spacecraft for Project Apollo and later to launch Skylab, the first American space station.
Wally Schirra (1923-2007) was the only astronaut to fly on Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo spacecraft. A Mercury Seven astronaut, Schirra flew on Sigma 7 (also known as Mercury-Atlas 8), Gemini 6A as Command Pilot with Thomas Stafford as Pilot, and Earth orbital Apollo 7 as Mission Commander for the first manned Apollo mission. Schirra was the fifth American and ninth human to ride a rocket into space. Je was also the first person to travel into space three times and logged a total of 295 hours and 15 minutes in space. After retiring from the U.S. Navy and from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Schirra became a consultant for CBS News.
Original black and white photographic print: Space Walk of Fame Collection.
The famous and ill-fated Apollo 13 spacecraft at Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) of John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. The mission was crewed by Mission Commander Jim Lovell (1928-), Lunar Module Pilot Fred Haise (1933-), and Command Module Pilot Jack Swigert (1931-1982). Apollo 13 was termed a "successful failure," because the crew survived even though they did not accomplish its original objective of landing on the moon. Apollo 13 launched on April 11, 1970, but an oxygen tank in the Service Module had exploded around 56 hours into the mission, as a result of a series of mismatched modifications and unfortunate testing, causing the mission and the astronauts being put in jeopardy. The Moon landing did not happen, but the astronauts landed safely in the Pacific Ocean on April 17.
Original black and white photographic print, March 24, 1970: Larry Summers Collection.
Apollo-Saturn IB Launch Vehicle of Skylab 3 Sits on Launch Pad 39B
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.
Skylab Space Station as Seen From Skylab 4 CSM
A view of the Skylab Space Station from the Skylab 4 (SL-4) Command/Service Module (CSM). 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.
Project Apollo ended here in the Pacific Ocean with the splashdown of Apollo 17 on December 19, 1972. One December 7, Apollo 17 became the first night launch of an American human spaceflight and was also the last manned launch of a Saturn V rocket. During the 12-day mission, Mission Commander Eugene Cernan (1934-), Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt (1935-), and Command Module Pilot Ronald Evans (1933-1990) conducted observations, experiments, and sample-gathering from the Moon. Apollo 17 broke a number of previous records, such as the longest manned lunar landing flight, the longest total lunar surface extravehicular activities, the largest lunar sample return, and the longest time in lunar orbit.
Original color photographic print, December 19, 1972: Larry Summers Collection.
The crawler-transporter-transporter moving a Saturn V to the launch pad at John F. Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39 (LC-39). The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) had previously assembled launch vehicles at the pad, stacking them in place. In a then-revolutionary move, NASA began performing vehicle assembly in the new Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) built specifically to assemble the Apollo-Saturn V launch vehicle, on top of the launcher and move the whole assembly to the pad. The huge crawler-transporter goes under the launcher/vehicle and moves it at a maximum speed of one mph to the launch pad.
Original color photographic print: Space Walk of Fame Collection.
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.
Skylab 4 (SL-4) Mission Commander Gerald P. Carr (1932-) in front of a transfer van at 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 Carr, 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.
Skylab 4 (SL-4) Science Pilot Edward Gibson (1936-) in front of a transfer van at 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 and until the Space Shuttle could boast its orbit, but with a decaying orbit, it crashed on July 11, 1979. 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's crew consisted of Mission Commander Gerald P. Carr (1932-), Command Module Pilot William R. Pogue (1930-2014), and Gibson. The mission set a then endurance record of more than 84 days in space.
Skylab 4 Saturn IB Launch Vehicle Inspection at Launch Pad 39B
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.
Technicians Preparing an Apollo Spacecraft
Technicians working under what is presumed to be a Command Module or a Service Module to prepare it for mating during Project Apollo at John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. The Apollo program was the third U.S. manned spaceflight program operated by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Project Apollo ran from 1961 to 1972 and was dedicated to President John F. Kennedy's goal of landing a man on the Moon. The program achieved its goal, and also serves as the first and only manned mission beyond low Earth orbit.
Skylab 4 Astronaut Gerald P. Carr Undergoing Medical Exam
Skylab 4 (SL-4) Mission Commander Gerald P. Carr (1932-) undergoing a medical exam before launch at Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Carr, 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.
Skylab 4 Crew at John F. Kennedy Space Center
The Skylab 4 (SL-4) crew at a press conference at John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida. Photographed from left to right are Command Module Pilot William R. Pogue (1930-2014), Mission Commander Gerald P. Carr (1932-), and Science Pilot Edward Gibson (1936-). 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 and until the Space Shuttle could boast its orbit, but with a decaying orbit, it crashed on July 11, 1979. 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. The mission set a then endurance record of more than 84 days in space.
Digital reproduction of original black and white photographic print, November 13, 1973.
The first launch of the Saturn I (SA-1) booster from Launch Complex 34 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Saturn I was the first heavy-lift dedicated space launcher used in the United States. The Saturn I rocket was designed to launch payloads into low Earth orbit and was the most powerful launch vehicle used by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to date. The rocket was used for testing rocket motor technology, aerodynamics, flight control and mockups (boilerplate) versions of the Apollo Command/Service Modules. Ten Saturn I rockets were flown until the model was replaced by the Saturn IB.
Original black and white photographic print, October 26, 1961: Leonard Pugh Collection.
The Skylab 4 (SL-4) crew at Patrick Air Force Base for a press conference. In the first photograph appear, from left to right, Science Pilot Edward Gibson (1936-), Command Module Pilot William R. Pogue (1930-2014), and Mission Commander Gerald P. Carr (1932-). The second photograph shows Carr, Gibson, and Pogue, from left to right. 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 and until the Space Shuttle could boast its orbit, but with a decaying orbit, it crashed on July 11, 1979. 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. The mission set a then endurance record of more than 84 days in space.
Original black and white photographic prints, November 13, 1973: Larry Summers Collection.
Mating Apollo Command Module to the Service Module
An early mating of a test Apollo Command Module to the Service Module in Hangar AF in the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) industrial area. The Apollo Command Module was the crew cabin for the Apollo Command/Service Module (CSM). The CSM, along with the Lunar Module (LM), was a spacecraft used during Project Apollo to land astronauts on the moon. It was used in nine manned space flights to the Moon aboard the Saturn V.
Original color photographic print, March 4, 1964: Larry Summers Collection.
Astronaut William R. Pogue Training for Skylab 4
Command Module Pilot William R. Pogue (1930-2014) training for Skylab 4 (SL-4) at Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. 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-), Pogue, 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, October 18, 1973: Space Walk of Fame Collection.
Mating Apollo Command/Service Module to Launch Adapter
An early mating of a test Apollo Command/Service Module (CSM) to a Launch Adapter in Hangar AF in the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) industrial area. The CSM, along with the Lunar Module (LM), was a spacecraft used during Project Apollo to land astronauts on the moon. It was used in nine manned space flights to the Moon aboard the Saturn V.
Original black and white photographic print, March 4, 1964: Larry Summers Collection.
Skylab 3 Astronaut Owen K. Garriott and Family
Skylab 3's Science Pilot Owen K. Garriott (1930-) with his family. To his left are Richard Allen Garriott (1961-), Helen Mary Walker Garriott, and Linda S. Garriott (1966-). The two sons on the end are Randall O. Garriott (1955-) and Robert K. Garriott (1956-), but it is not clear which is which. Both Robert and Richard (now known as Richard Garriott de Cayeux) became important figures in the video game industry. 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. SL-3's crew consisted of Mission Commander Alan Bean (1932-), Command Module Pilot Jack R. Lousma (1936-), and Garriott.
Original black and white photographic print, July 19, 1973: Larry Summers Collection.
Skylab 3 Preparing for Launch on Launch Pad 39B
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.
An artist's rendering of a pad abort test at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Quoting the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): "This Project Apollo Pad Abort test sequence shows the vehicle from launch escape motor ignition
jettison motor ignition and launch escape tower release
and main chutes fully inflated. The purpose of the Apollo Mission P[ad] A[bort] #1 is to determine the stability and operational characteristics of the Apollo escape configuration during a pad abort. This is the first phase of testing of hardware to land U.S. astronauts on the Moon."
Original greyscale drawing, November 5, 1963: Space Walk of Fame Collection.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, D.C.
Early Version of Skylab 3 Mission Emblem
The emblem for the Skylab 3 (SL-3) mission. Due to miscommunication about program numbering, the emblem mistakenly states "Skylab II." 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 emblem, February 12, 1973: Larry Summers Collection.
Mating Lunar Module 1 to Spacecraft Lunar Module Adapter in Manned Spacecraft Operations Building
Lunar Module (LM) 1 (LM-1) was the first flight-ready version. It was test launched aboard a Saturn IB booster designated AS-204 with the mission known as Apollo 5. Apollo 5 was an unmanned test mission, which used the booster that was supposed to be used in the Apollo 1 mission. This photograph shows LM-1 being mated to Spacecraft Lunar Module (LM) Adapter 7 (SLA-7) in the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building (MSOB).
Original black and white photographic print, November 10, 1967: Space Walk of Fame Collection.
Command Module Pilot Jack R. Lousma (1936-) of Skylab 3 (SL-3). 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-), Lousma, and Science Pilot Owen K. Garriott (1930-).
Original black and white photographic print, December 9, 1971: Larry Summers Collection.
Verification Vehicle Being Moved to Launch Complex 34
An Apollo verification vehicle being moved from the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building (MSOB) (MSOB) at John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) industrial Area to Launch Pad 34 in Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS). Verification vehicles are complete or mostly versions of mission-ready vehicles used to test logistics, vehicle performance, and other mission critical factors. The building was renamed in honor of Neil Armstrong in 2014 to the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building.
Original black and white photographic print, September 3, 1965: Space Walk of Fame Collection.
Skylab 3 Crew at John F. Kennedy Space Center
The Skylab 3 (SL-3) crew training at John F. Kennedy Space Center's Manned Spacecraft Operations Building (MSOB) (MSOB) in Merritt Island, Florida. Photographed from left to right are Science Pilot Owen K. Garriott (1930-) (1930-), Commander Alan Bean (1932-), and Command Module Pilot Jack R. Lousma (1936-). 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, July 10, 1973: Larry Summers Collection.
Skylab 3 Crew at Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
The Skylab 3 (SL-3) crew at Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Photographed from left to right are Commander Alan Bean (1932-), Science Pilot Owen K. Garriott (1930-) (1930-), and Command Module Pilot Jack R. Lousma (1936-). 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.
Fueling Umbilical Testing for Project Apollo
This photograph is described by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as "[v]iew after ejection of Umbilical Plug." This took place in Hangar AF at John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida.
Original black and white photographic print, July 9, 1964: Space Walk of Fame Collection.
Skylab 3 Crew Training at Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
The Skylab 3 (SL-3) crew training at Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The first photograph shows, from left to right, Command Module Pilot Jack R. Lousma (1936-), Science Pilot Owen K. Garriott (1930-) (1930-), and Commander Alan Bean (1932-). The second photograph shows, from left to right, Garriott, Bean, and Lousma. 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 prints: Larry Summers Collection.
Skylab 3 Crew Training at Marshall Space Flight Center
The Skylab 3 (SL-3) crew training at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Photographed from left to right are Commander Alan Bean (1932-), Science Pilot Owen K. Garriott (1930-) (1930-), and Command Module Pilot Jack R. Lousma (1936-). 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: Larry Summers Collection, June 22, 1973.
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama
Skylab 2 mission training at Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston Texas. The first photographs shows Commander Paul J. Weitz (1932-) (1930-1999) and the second photographs shows Commander Pete Conrad, both training underwater in the neutral buoyancy facility. 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 black and white photographic prints, May 22, 1973: Larry Summers Collection.
The Skylab 2 Launch at 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, May 25, 1973: Larry Summers Collection.
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.
The Skylab 2 crew in front of the Saturn V launch vehicle, which carried Skylab 1 into orbit, at Launch Pad 39A 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.
Skylab 2 Crew at John F. Kennedy Space Center
The Skylab 2 crew, including Science Pilot Joseph P. Kerwin (1932-), at 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.
Launch Control Center During a Skylab Launch
Launch Control Center at John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Merritt Island, Florida, during a Skylab launch. 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.
Launch Control Center, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida
The launch and liftoff of the last Saturn V at 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.
Original black and white photographic prints, May 15, 1973: Larry Summers Collection.
Maintenance Crew on Skylab 1 at Launch Pad 39A
The maintenance crew on Skylab 1 at Launch Pad 39A 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.
Original black and white photographic print, May 10, 1973: Larry Summers Collection.
Skylab 3 (SL-3) astronaut Jack R. Lousma, training underwater in the neutral buoyancy facility at Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. 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 black and white photographic print, June 22, 1973: Larry Summers Collection.
Skylab 1 and Skylab 2 at Launch Pad 39A and Launch Pad 39B
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.
Apollo Departing the Vehicle Assembly Building
Transportation of the Saturn V Crawler-Transporter to Launch Pad 39
The second test flight of the Saturn I (SA-2) rocket was launched successfully not long after this photograph was taken at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Saturn I rocket was designed to launch payloads into low Earth orbit and was the most powerful launch vehicle used by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to date. SA-2 was a suborbital flight which released a test payload of 30,000 gallons of water in the upper atmosphere, in order to examine the effects of radio transmissions and local weather. Ten Saturn I rockets were flown until the model was replaced by the Saturn IB.
Original black and white photographic print, April 25, 1962: Larry Summers Collection.
Launch Complex 37 Pre-launch Preparations for Saturn I
A view inside Launch Complex 37's blockhouse at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) the day before the launch of the Saturn I (SA-7) on its final qualification flight. Saturn I was the first heavy-lift dedicated space launcher used in the United States. The Saturn I rocket was designed to launch payloads into low Earth orbit and was the most powerful launch vehicle used by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to date. The rocket was used for testing rocket motor technology, aerodynamics, flight control and mockups (boilerplate) versions of the Apollo Command/Service Modules. Ten Saturn I rockets were flown until the model was replaced by the Saturn IB.
Original black and white photographic print, September 17, 1964: Larry Summers Collection.
Launch Complex 37, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Construction of Special Assembly Building
An aerial photograph of the Special Assembly Building (later known as Hangar AF) under construction at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) in Cape Canaveral, Florida. At present, the hangar is used by John F. Kennedy Space Center's (KSC) for its Ground Systems Development and Operations Program and, in particular, for production related to the Space Launch System (SLS).
Original color photographic print, February 28, 1962: Space Walk of Fame Collection.
Assembly of AS-500F Verification Vehicle
The assembly of the AS-500F (also called Facilities Integration Vehicle) full-scale mock-up of the Apollo/Saturn V launch verification vehicle. The AS-500F was used to verify assembly methods, the use of the crawler-transporter to move the vehicle to the launch pad and test vehicle fueling.
Original black and white photographic print, May 3, 1966: Larry Summers Collection.
Vehicle Assembly Building, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida
A chart showing the parts and steps involved with a assembly of Apollo Command/Service Module (CSM), Lunar Module (LM), and Spacecraft Launch Adapter (SLA). This visual guide indicates what should be done to make that part of the spacecraft launch ready.
Original chart: Space Walk of Fame Collection.
A drawing showing the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM), later called the Lunar Module (LM), returning from the lunar surface to rejoin the Command/Service Module (CSM). The LEM was the landing portion of the Apollo spacecraft. The CSM was a separate spacecraft used to ferry the LEM into lunar orbit. The LEM was used for six successful lunar landings between 1969 and 1972.
Original color drawing: Space Walk of Fame Collection.
An artist's rendering of a pad abort test at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Quoting the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): "This Project Apollo Pad Abort test sequence shows the vehicle from launch escape motor ignition jettison motor ignition and launch escape tower release drogue parachute deployment main parachutes in reefed condition and main chutes fully inflated. The purpose of the Apollo Mission P[ad] A[bort] #1 is to determine the stability and operational characteristics of the Apollo escape configuration during a pad abort. This is the first phase of testing of hardware to land U.S. astronauts on the Moon."
Lunar Module (LM) 1 (LM-1) was the first flight-ready version. It was test launched aboard a Saturn IB booster designated AS-204 with the mission known as Apollo 5. Apollo 5 was an unmanned test mission, which used the booster that was supposed to be used in the Apollo 1 mission. This photograph shows LM-1 being mated to Spacecraft Lunar Module (LM) Adapter 7 (SLA-7) in the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building (MSOB) (MSOB).
Launch Complex 39 at John F. Kennedy Space Center
Launch complexes (Astronautics)--Florida
Launch Complex 39 (LC-39) at John F. Kennedy Space Center was constructed specifically for the Saturn V rockets, which powered Lunar missions of Project Apollo. The complex was originally conceived as at least a three-pad complex in the early 1960s, but only two pads, Launch Pad 39A and Launch Pad 39B, were constructed. This combined with Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), the crawlerway, and Launch Pad 39A and Launch Pad 39B. In this photograph, Launch Pad 39A is in the foreground, with the crawlerway, which connects it to the VAB, in the distance. This is the original Apollo-era configuration.
A video simulation of the Cocoa Beach Glass Bank as it appear in 1963. The video was produced by the Institute for Simulation & Training and the College of Arts & Humanities at the University of Central Florida. Also known as the First Federal Savings and Loan Building, construction for the Cocoa Beach Glass Bank began in 1960 and was completed in 1961. The First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Cocoa officially opened the following year. The Sky Room Restaurant also opened in 1962, but closed in 1963. In 1963, construction on the external Express Elevator began and Ramon's Rainbow Room opened. Ramon's closed in 1970 and was replaced by Marby's Rainbow Room that same year. Marby's, which was not replaced by a new restaurant, closed in 1972. The First Federal Savings and Loan Association was acquired by the First FA in 1983. Reliance Bank occupied the banking facilities on the first floor from 1985 to 1995, when the name was changed to Huntington Bank. In 2004, the lower portion of the building had no tenants. Demolition of the building was approved in 2014 and the building was razed the following year.
Institute for Simulation & Training
UCF College of Arts & Humanities
Original 2-minute and 11-second video: "Cocoa Beach Glass Bank in 3D."
Cocoa Beach Glass Bank, Cocoa Beach, Florida
Florida Public Service Company Bill for the Oviedo Woman's Club (September 3, 1926)
A receipt from the Florida Public Service Company, located at 100 East Central Avenue in Orlando, Florida, for September 3, 1926. The bill was issued to the Oviedo Woman's Club for $2. The Florida Public Service Company provided electric light and power, gas power, water, and ice to various communities in Central Florida. The company was controlled by the General Gas and Electric Corporation and was operated and managed by the W. S. Barstow Management Association, Inc
Original financial statement, September 3, 1926: Private Collection of Beatrice Gestrich.
Oviedo Woman's Club
Statement of the Finances of the Oviedo Woman's Club
A financial statement for the Oviedo Woman's Club (OWC) from the period of May 6, 1927, to March 16, 1928. The Oviedo Woman's Club was founded in 1906 as the Oviedo Magazine Club by seven charter members: H. B. McCall, Edith Meade, Georgia Lee Wheeler, Lillian Lee Lawton, Mattie Aulin Wheeler, Milcah Yonge, and Mary King. The first clubhouse was constructed in 1914 and also served as Oviedo's first library. In 1916, the club joined the FFWC and officially changed its name to the Oviedo Woman's Club. In 1923, the woman's club was federated under the umbrella of the General Federation of Woman's Clubs (GFWC). A new clubhouse was built in 1961 on property donated by R. L. Croom, a former member, which is located at 414 King Street. The Oviedo Woman's Club is involved in many civic projects, including the annual Great Day in the Country Arts and Crafts Festival, the Spring Fundraiser, Tasting Luncheons, and Celebrate Spring Teas.
Original financial statement, March 16, 1928: Private Collection of Beatrice Gestrich.
Letter from Lillian Della Lee Lawton to the Oviedo Women's Club
A letter from Lillian Della Lee Lawton (1882-1977) to the President and members of the Oviedo Women's Club. In the letter, Lawton reports the purchases and finances of the Park Committee. The Oviedo Woman's Club was founded in 1906 as the Oviedo Magazine Club by seven charter members: H. B. McCall, Edith Meade, Georgia Lee Wheeler, Lillian Lee Lawton, Mattie Aulin Wheeler, Milcah Yonge, and Mary King. The first clubhouse was constructed in 1914 and also served as Oviedo's first library. In 1916, the club joined the FFWC and officially changed its name to the Oviedo Woman's Club. In 1923, the woman's club was federated under the umbrella of the General Federation of Woman's Clubs (GFWC). A new clubhouse was built in 1961 on property donated by R. L. Croom, a former member, which is located at 414 King Street. The Oviedo Woman's Club is involved in many civic projects, including the annual Great Day in the Country Arts and Crafts Festival, the Spring Fundraiser, Tasting Luncheons, and Celebrate Spring Teas.
Original letter from Lillian Della Lee Lawton to the Oviedo Women's Club: Private Collection of Beatrice Gestrich.
A note listing expenses for even event hosted by the Oviedo Woman's Club (OWC) on February 23, 1924. Items purchased included ice cream and whole cherries from Clements' Pharmacy, candy and ribbon, and crepe paper napkins. The Oviedo Woman's Club was founded in 1906 as the Oviedo Magazine Club by seven charter members: H. B. McCall, Edith Meade, Georgia Lee Wheeler, Lillian Lee Lawton, Mattie Aulin Wheeler, Milcah Yonge, and Mary King. The first clubhouse was constructed in 1914 and also served as Oviedo's first library. In 1916, the club joined the FFWC and officially changed its name to the Oviedo Woman's Club. In 1923, the woman's club was federated under the umbrella of the General Federation of Woman's Clubs (GFWC). A new clubhouse was built in 1961 on property donated by R. L. Croom, a former member, which is located at 414 King Street. The Oviedo Woman's Club is involved in many civic projects, including the annual Great Day in the Country Arts and Crafts Festival, the Spring Fundraiser, Tasting Luncheons, and Celebrate Spring Teas.
Original note: Private Collection of Beatrice Gestrich.