Mishaps and Challenges Faced by the First Manned Space Station, SkyLab One
54 years ago, the United States launched its first manned space station, SkyLab One, into space. It was a groundbreaking mission that aimed to bridge the gap between the Apollo and Space Shuttle programs. However, it soon became known for the challenges and mishaps it faced during its time in orbit. Let’s take a closer look at what went wrong and how it ultimately shaped future space missions.
The idea for a large rotating space station was first proposed by Verna von Braun in the 1950s. His vision was to convert a Saturn rocket into an orbital workshop, which would serve as a laboratory to study the effects of living in space on the human body. It would also carry the Apollo telescope mount and solar observatory to study the sun in unprecedented detail. With the cancellation of later Apollo missions, spare Saturn rockets were used to create SkyLab.
SkyLab faced its first challenge during its launch on May 14, 1973. A micrometeorite shield and sunshade accidentally deployed during launch, only to be ripped off by the slipstream. Once in orbit, it became apparent that there were more problems. Without a heat shield, the temperature inside the workshop was rising dramatically, and a pair of solar rays weren’t functioning correctly. NASA had to delay the crew launch while they figured out how to fix these issues.
Over the next 10 days, teams worked tirelessly to come up with a solution. They devised a parasol that would provide shade and attached it to the side of the workshop. The backup crew practiced the operations underwater to simulate working in space. Eventually, the crew of SkyLab II lifted off to attempt a repair mission. They successfully fixed the parasol and released the stuck solar array, saving the mission.
Despite its challenges, SkyLab proved that it was possible to work in space and fix problems. It carried out hundreds of experiments over its three manned missions, ranging from studying space exercise to earth resources and material sciences. Each mission pushed the limits of human endurance in space, with SkyLab IV lasting an impressive 84 days.
However, the story of SkyLab doesn’t end there. Before its last mission, the crew left food and provisions for the next crew, which never happened. SkyLab was expected to fall back to Earth around 1983, with plans to boost its orbit using the Space Shuttle. Unfortunately, problems with the Shuttle delayed its launch, leaving NASA with less control over SkyLab’s re-entry.
This caused panic worldwide as people feared that the debris from SkyLab might fall on them. Emergency planning offices were set up to safeguard citizens, especially in Canada where the descent was expected to occur. However, NASA adjusted SkyLab’s orientation to avoid densely populated areas and dropped it into the southern Atlantic Ocean. Parts of SkyLab did fall over the southern Indian Ocean due to a margin of error in calculations, but no significant damage occurred.
Despite its challenges and ultimate demise, SkyLab taught NASA valuable lessons. It showed that space missions would never be routine or easy, but it also demonstrated the ability to improvise and overcome challenges while in orbit. The lessons learned from SkyLab were instrumental in future space missions, such as assembling the International Space Station and repairing the Hubble Space Telescope.
As we reflect on the legacy of SkyLab, we can appreciate the advancements it brought to space exploration. It paved the way for longer-duration missions and highlighted the resilience and ingenuity of astronauts and ground control alike. While it may be remembered for its mishaps, it should also be celebrated for its contributions to our understanding of living and working in space.
