Skylab Program

Skylab 1

Vehicle: Saturn V | Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A

Skylab 1 mission operations

Mission Overview

Skylab 1 launched the first US space station. During launch, a micrometeoroid shield ripped loose, tearing away one primary solar wing and jamming another. The station reached orbit overheated and power-starved, prompting emergency repair operations by the subsequent Skylab crewed flights.

Payload & Instruments

Mission Purpose

Orbital microgravity laboratory station

Scientific Instrumentation

  • Apollo Telescope Mount: Specialized telemetry sensor array.
  • Solar physics sensors: Specialized telemetry sensor array.
  • Biomedical assay labs: Specialized telemetry sensor array.

Scientific Discoveries

Pioneered operational fixes of structures damaged during launch phase in orbital flight.

Multimedia Gallery

Skylab 1 launch operations photography

Official NASA historical record photography for Skylab 1.