Mission Objective
Skylab 1 was the inaugural mission in NASA's Skylab program, tasked with deploying the United States' first space station into low Earth orbit. The primary objectives included placing the orbital workshop into a stable orbit, deploying its solar arrays, and preparing the station for subsequent crewed missions. This mission laid the groundwork for extended human habitation and scientific research in space.
Mission Highlights
Skylab 1 launched from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A on May 14, 1973, at 1:00 p.m. UTC, utilizing the final Saturn V rocket. Shortly after liftoff, the mission encountered significant challenges: the micrometeoroid shield and one of the main solar panels were damaged during ascent, leading to power shortages and thermal control issues. Despite these setbacks, the station achieved orbit, and ground teams devised innovative solutions to address the anomalies, setting the stage for the first crewed mission to conduct in-orbit repairs.
Launch
May 14, 1973; 1:00 p.m. UTC
Launch Pad: Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A
Launch Vehicle: Saturn V SA-513
Orbit
Perigee: Approximately 434 km
Apogee: Approximately 442 km
Inclination: 50°
Orbital Period: 93.4 minutes
Duration
Skylab remained in orbit from May 14, 1973, until its re-entry on July 11, 1979, totaling 2,249 days. During this period, it hosted three crewed missions, contributing significantly to our understanding of long-duration spaceflight.
Re-entry
July 11, 1979
Skylab re-entered Earth's atmosphere, with debris scattering over the Indian Ocean and parts of Western Australia.
