Jul 13

Space Rocket History #393 – Skylab – Soyuz Mission

During 1970-1972, a possible fourth “new” docking mission with Skylab was considered. This new mission would not be just another Apollo docking, instead it was a radically different idea. 

Possible Soyuz-Skylab Docking Mission. Credit Shayler

Skylab Multiple Docking Adapter. Credit Shayler

Full Scale Skylab Test Article. Credit Shayler

Jun 29

Space Rocket History #392 – Skylab – Let’s Call it Skylab

On February 1970, Nasa announced that the AAP had been renamed.  America’s first space station would enter the history books as Skylab.

Mockup of LM Apollo Telescope Mount. Credit Shayler

AAP Cluster Experiments for Wet OWS. Credit Shayler

OWS-                           Waste Mgmt.(left). Food Mgmt.(right). Credit Shayler

Jun 15

Space Rocket History #391 – Skylab – Pre-history – Apollo Applications Program

The Apollo Applications Program (AAP) was created in 1966 by NASA headquarters to develop science-based human spaceflight missions using hardware developed for the Apollo program.

The SSESM Concept. Credit Shayler

AAP Mission Using Modified LM. Credit Lockheed

1967 Concept of the AAP Cluster

Apr 24

Space Rocket History #298 – Apollo 14 – Crew Selection

There were some people who wondered why America’s first man in space Alan Shepard, at age forty-seven, having acquired fame, wealth, and status as an American hero, would risk his life to go to the moon.