Skylab Illustrated Chronology, 1962-1973
Skylab Illustrated Chronology, 1962-1973
Skylab Illustrated Chronology, 1962-1973
A&PS-M S-H
May 1,1973
1962 - 1973
BY
David S. Akens
HISTORICAL STAFF
Management Services Orrice
GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AM) SPACE ADMINISTRATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1962-1965 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1966 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1967 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
1968 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
1969 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
1970 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
1971 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
1972 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
1973 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
iii
INTROD UCT ION
Skylab is America’s frrst experimenta) space station. Dwarfing previous manned spacecraft,
this huge cluster of hardware includes roomy living quarters and laboratories equipped with
complex scientific equipment for three astronauts.
Schedules call for three separate three-man crews to visit Skylab, living and iorking there
for periods up to 56 days. In Skylab’s unusual environment, high above earth’s atmosphere
in the weightlessness and vacuum of space, they then undertake the most intensive space
research yet defined. Here they look up to study the sun, look down to observe the earth,
and look inward to evaluate man’s ability to work successfully in zero-gravity for long
periods. No laboratory on earth can provide the answers to questions asked in the Skylab
experiments.
At an altitude of 435 kilometers (270 statute miles) Skylab is programmed to speed around
the earth in an easterly direction in an orbit at a 50-degree angle from the equator’s plane.
Its path reaihes 5551 kilometers (3450 miles) north and south of the equator, crisscrossing
most of the earth’s surface except for the Arctic and Antarctic. Moving at 8 kilometers ( 5
miles) per second, it completes an orbit in 93 minutes. Its sensitive instruments are capable
of observing and recording millions of bits of data about earth’s land, sea, and air; about the
sun; and about the condition of the crew members themselves.
The Skylab flight program begins with liftoff of the unmanned workshop from the Kennedy
Space Center on a two-stage Saturn V vehicle. Skylab then maneuvers into its planned
attitude, points toward the sun, swings its solar observatory 90 degrees from the vertical
launch position to operation position, and pressurizes its quarters with an oxygen-nitrogen
environment to make ready for the arrival of the astronauts. One day after the Saturn V
launch a Saturn 1B boosts an Apollo spacecraft and the first three-man crew into a low earth
orbit. Using the spacecraft’s service propulsion system, the astronauts climb to the Skylab’s
altitude, dock, and enter. After 28 days they reenter their spacecraft and return to earth for
a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. About 60 days after the first crew’s return, another
Saturn IB starts a second crew on a visit to Skylab, this time for 56 days. And 30 days after
the second crew’s return to a Pacific recovery area, a third crew lifts off for another %day
flight. Recovery of the third crew is in the Pacific Ocean. ,
Skylab is the most ambitious project in space to date. The chronology within this book
attempts in some small measure todocument those major events that led to such a major
space feat. This chronology covers NASA-wide events in general and some MSFC events in
greater detail.
Appreciation is expressed to personnel of the MSFC Skylab Program Office as well as to the
publications personnel of Hayes Corporation who have been unusually helpful in
preparation of this Skylab Chronology.
V
1962 - 1965
1
November 1962 - December 1965
1962 AUGUST 25: A Technical Working Group was
established at MSFC for the S-IVB Conceptual
design study under the cochairmanship of J.
NOVEMBER: The first documented report to Laue and W. Thompson (R-P&VE-AB) [ 5 1 .
suggest use of an S-IVB stage as a laboratory in
space was published by Douglas Aircraft SEPTEMBER 10: The Apollo Extension
Company. Meanwhile, at MSFC similar ideas System was formally redesignated Apollo
were generating, though not yet to the extent Applications [ 6 ] .
of being published as a report [ 1f .
OCTOBER 20: MSFC and MSC held their first
coordination meeting on the S-IVB Workshop
1965 and the related A N experiment activities. One
of the major requests from this meeting was a
requirement for the S-IVB/Apollo CSM
M A R C H : MSFC program analysts and Workshop concept t o handle an artificial
developers were beginning to use the terms gravity experiment. MSFC, with support from
“spent stage” and “wet workshop” in reference DAC and Langley, was going to create these
to the possiblity of taking fuel from an S-IVB design concepts. Langley had already
stage in space and then using the stage as a completed considerable effort on the MORL
laboratory [ 21. and their supporting technology programs in
this area [ 7 J . I
AUGUST 6: Dr. George E. Mueller, Associate
Administrator for Manned Space Flight, NASA DECEMBER 1: Dr. George Mueller gave
Headquarters, announced the establishment at MSFC the go-ahead for the Orbital Workshop.
Headquarters of an Apollo Applications MSFC was directed to present a Program
Program Office. Being effective with this Development Plan at the Management Council
an n o u n cement, the Apollo Applications Meeting to be held on December 21 and 22.
Program came into existence, replacing the old Dr. Mueller desired that the Workshop be
Apollo Extension Systems Program [ 3 ] . flown on SA-209. In addition to the plan,
MSFC was also requested t o present the work
that had been done in execution of the plan.
AUGUST 20: As a part of MSFC’s activities Furthermore, it was decided that the Workshop
relative to the Apollo Extension System would be a project of MSFC with Mr. William
Program, a concept was identified which Ferguson in charge [ 81’.
showed potential for a comprehensive
accomplishment of experiments associated DECEMBER 23: In a memo to the Gemini
with the earth orbital phase of the program. Project Manager at MSC, MSFC solicited their
This concept, the S-IVB Orbital Workshop, assistance, as well as that of McDonnell
involves an “in-orbit” conversion of a spent Aircraft, in determining the feasibiIity of using
S-IVB stage to a shelter suitable for habitation Gemini subsystems on the Airlock splice
and utilization by man. A four-month experiment. During the course of the
conceptual design study was initiated to D e c e m b e r OMSF Management Council
further defiie this concept and its potential. Meeting, Dr. Mueller directed that McDonnell
Both MSC and Douglas Aircraft were to Aircraft appraise the applicability of the
participate in this study [ 4 J . Gemini hardware for this purpose 191.
3
1966
5
January - March 1966
1966 included two phases: (1) Phase 1 -
short-duration (nominal 14 days) orbital
missions using unmodified Apollo 3lock I1
JANUARY 1: MSFC Director Wernher von hardware, and ( 2 ) Phase I1 -
Braun named Dr. J.C. McCall to organize and <xtended-duration missions (up to 45 days)
manage the Experiments and Applications using Apollo Block 111 hardware with new or
Office, which would manage MSFC’s portion modified subsystems. According to the ML-4
of the Apollo Applications Program I 101. schedule, activity on Phase I was stopped and
activity on Phase I1 would be directed toward
FEBRUARY 25: To summarize prior the S-IVB/SSESM, the forerunner of the
agreements and discussions, a TWX was sent by workshop. The SSESM would be mounted on
NASA Headquarters to MSFC and MSC the forward end of the S-IVB stage and would
delineating responsibilities. MSFC was given provide docking and an airlock passageway into
the overall system design and integration the S-IVB hydrogen tank. Planning called for
responsibility for the S-IVB Workshop. The the Command and Service Module (CSM)t o be
design objective was for a 30day flight launched with the SIVB/SSESM on a single
capability, with a lower limit of 14 days. MSC Saturn IB vehicle. Most experiments at this
Gemini Program Office had contractual and time were biomedical, and would be carried
detail design responsibility for the Airlock and performed in the Command Module (CM).
Module, which would utilize Gemini The astronauts would enter the passivated
Components wherever feasible [ 1 I 1. S-IVR spent stage through the SSESM. No crew
quarters were to be set up in the S-IVB, and,
MARCH 23: The Apollo Extension Systems therefore, basic activity would amount to
had been proposed as a program to utilize familiarization with zero-g locomotion in a
Apollo Saturn capabilities and hardware to fly controlled and enclosed environment [ 121.
future missions and thereby to minimize the
initial development cost of new systems.
Subsequently,. the name of the project was
changed t o Apollo Applications. NASA’s first
“officially released” schedule in the Apollo
Applications Program (AAP) was Schedule
ML-4,released by NASA on March 23, 1966.
This schedule called for 26 Saturn IB launches
and 19 Saturn V launches. Involved in the
launches would be three S-IVB/Spent Stage
Experiment Support Modules (SSESM), three
Saturn V Workshops, and four Apollo
Telescope Mounts (ATM’S).This schedule also
included five lunar missions and two
synchronous orbit missions. According to this
ML-4 schedule, the first S-IVB/SSESM would
be launched in April 1958. Early groundrules
established at the time of the ML-4 schedule
called for noninterference with the basic
Apollo Lunar Landing Program, minimum
modification of Apollo hardware, and
compatibility with Apollo launch vehicles. EARLY SIMPLIFIED ATM CONCEPT USING
Prior to the ML-4 schedule, the program plans APOLLO CSM
7
May - July 1966
8
July - September 1966
JULY 25: MSFC presented the Orbital Engineering, Harvard College Observatory,
Workshop as an experiment to the MSFEB. High Altitude Observatory, and the Naval
The result of this presentation was that it was Research Laboratory. These contracts had
approved by Dr. Mueller and was to be flown originated during 1964 and 1965 1241.
on AS-209 [ 191.
SEPTEMBER 19: The Manned Space Flight
JULY 25: T h e Manned Space Flight Experiment Board approved the following
Experiment Board approved the following changes to the list of corollary experiments for
changes tc the Est r?f rnm!!zy experiments for the Apollo Applications Program [251.
the Apollo Applications Program. Experiments Experiments added were as follows:
added were SO09 (Nuclear Emulsion), M402
(Orbital Workshop), and .TO1 8 (Precision M469 S T - 1 2 4 R e m o v a l and
Optical Tracking) [ 201. Disassembly
JULY 26: OMSF was assigned full M492 Tube Joining in Space
responsibility for the conduct of Apollo and
Apollo Applications missions. The assignment M493 Electron Beam Welding
included funding approved integral experiment
hardware, providing the required Apollo and M466 Suits and Lunar Hardware
Sa t u r n systems, integrating the various
experiments with these systems, and planning M479 Zero Gravity Flammability
and executing the missions. Two OMSF
Centers were assigned the following M484 Orbital Workshop Artificial
responsibilities: MSFC - the Apollo Telescope “G”
Mount; MSC - the Apollo Lunar Surface
E x p e r i m e n t Package, l u n a r science M486 Astronaut EVA Equipment
experiments, life support systems, and earth
(surface) resources experiments [ 2 1 1 . M487 Habitability/Crew Quarters
AUGUST 14: The MSFC Saturn/ApoUo M488 High Pressure Gas Expulsion
Applications Program Office announced the
appointment of George B. Hardy as Manager, M489 Heat Exchanger Service
Program Engineering and Integration Project
t221- M050 Metabolic Activities
9
September - December 1966
DO22 E x p a n d a b l e Structures for NOVEMBER 30: Charles W. Mathews, MSC
Recovery Gemini Program Manager, was named Director
of Saturn-Apollo Applications in the NASA
OCTOBER 3: John A. Chambers was assigned Headquarters Office of Manned Space Flight
as Manager, Test, Reliability, Quality WI.
Assurance, and Safety Office in the MSFC
Saturn/Apollo Applications Program Office DECEMBER 5: With Schedule ML-SB, issued
[261- by NASA, the cluster concept entered the AAP
design following studies completed a short time
OCTOBER 31: Configuration and mission earlier. The ML-SB schedule called for 22
studies were conducted during the months of Saturn IB and 15 Saturn V launches. Included
September and October toward fulfilling the in the launch of the 22 Saturn IB’s would be
following goals: an operating set of. modules two Saturn 1B’s launched approximately a day
suitable for reuse and resupply in 1969; at least apart, one Saturn IB manned and the other one
one 3-man, 28day mission; at least one 3-man, unmanned. Among the Saturn flights scheduled
56day mission; and the maximum amount of in ML-5B would be flights utilizing two Saturn
solar observations possible [271. V Workshops and four I,M/ATM missions.
Lunar missions were also included in this
NOVEMBER 21: The Manned Space Flight schedule. The ML-5B cluster concept was
Experiment Board approved the following considered to consist of a workshop to be
changes to the list of corollary experiments for launched following a manned vehicle launch,
the Apollo Applications Program [28]. and, 6 months later, a LM/ATM launch
Expenments added were as follows: following another manned mission. The
LM/ATM would rendezvous and dock to the
M053 Human Vestibular Function cluster. According to the ML-SB schedule, the
first workshop launch would be in June 1968.
M055 Time & Motion Study The S-IVB/SSESM had been a comparatively
simple mission, requiring no rendezvous and
TO1 7 Meteoroid Impact & Erosion docking and no habitation equipment, but the
ML-SB schedule reflected the sophisticated
TO20 Jet Shoes ha bitable Orbital Workshop and cluster
concept, a much more complex program. The
TO2 1 Meteoroid Velocity o n e major similarity between the old
S-IVB/SSESM concept and the cluster concept
TO22 Heat Pipe was that both utilized the propulsive S-IVB
stage to put the payload into orbit prior to
SO17 X-Ray Astronomy passivation and pressurization of the hydrogen
tank in orbit. But, this new concept provided
so19 W Stellar Astronomy for the major step of making the Saturn-IVB
habitable by passivating and pressurizing the
so20 W/X-Ray Solar Photography hydrogen tank in orbit for a workshop
environment that later would be called the
SO63 U V Airglow Horizon “wet” workshop. A two-gas atmosphere of
Photography o x y g e n a n d n i t r o g e n replaced t h e
S-IVB/SSESM one-gas oxygen system. and a
SO65 Multiband Terrain Photography shirt-sleeve environment was incorporated. The
10
December 1966
first. Orbital Workshop (OWS) envisioned
would consist of crew quarters in the S-IVB
hydrogen tank (two floors and walls installed
on the ground) to be modified by the stage
contractor, Douglas Aircraft, and managed by
MSFC; an airlock module (AM), previously
called a Spent Stage Experiment Support
Module, attached to the OWS, to be built by
McDonnell Aircraft and managed by MSC; and
a multiple docking adapter (MDA) to be
developed containing five docking ports which
would permit up to five modules .to be docked
to the workshop at any one time. The MDA /t;' 'i
would also be utilized for storage of most OWS
a s t r o n a u t h a b i t a b i l i t y equipment and
experiments from launch to orbit [30].
AIRLOCK MODULE
I1
December 1966
12
1967
13
January - March 1967
1967 MARCH 12: NASA agreed to fly four DoD
experiments on Apollo Applications missions
to support the Air Force’s Manned Orbiting
JANUARY 26: George E. Mueller, in a Laboratory. Experiments selected were: study
briefing at NASA Headquarters, said that plans of an inflatable elastic airlock; use of alternate
were to form an “embryonic space station” in restraints to determine standard workshop
1968-1969 by clustering four AA payloads technique in weightlessness; evaluation of suit
launched with Uprated Saturn I boosters. The donning and sleep stations; and integration of
f i t mission would be the launch of a manned multipurpose equipment maintenance [351.
spazcr:,.aft, fc!!cl;/& cJeye:d days !ater *by
launch of a spend S-IVBstage converted into a MARCH 15: The Naval Research Laboratory
workshop. After the two spacecraft had awarded a subcontract to Ball Brothers
docked, the crew would enter the workshop Corporation for the production ,of the ATM
through an airlock. They would prepare the .
NRL experiments. Prior subcontract had been
workshop for storage and return to earth in let with Ball for production of the High
their spacecraft 28 days later. In three to six Altitude Observatory experiment on January
months, a second manned capsule would be I 1, 1965, and for Harvard College Observatory
launched on a 56-day mission to deliver a Experiment on December 27,1966 f361.
resupply module to the workshop and
rendezvous with an unmanned ATM, the M A R C H 20: MSFC. a w a r d e d Bendix
fourth and last launch of the series. The cluster C o r p o r a t i o n a 7.4-million-dollar,
would be joined with multiple docking cost-plus-award-fee contract for development
launched on S-IVB workshop. Emphasizing the and production of ATM pointing control
importance of manning the ATM, Dr. Mueller system (PCS). Bendix would produce three
said: “...if there is one thing the scientific units by August. The ATM system would
community is agreed on it is that when you permit Apollo astronauts to point a telescope
want to have a major telescope instrument in to selected regions of the sun during a period
space it needs to be manned ...” [32]. of maximum solar flare activities beginning in
late 1968. American Optical Company, under a
FEBRUARY 6: The Manned Space Flight 740,460-dollar contract, would build a
. Experiment Board approved the following dynamic simulator for use in developing the
changes to the iist of corollary experiments for PCS 1371.
the Apollo Applications Program. The two
e x p e r i m e n t s a d d e d were M018 MARCH 20: The Manned Space Flight
(Vectorcardiogram) and M423 (Hydrostatic Experiment Board approved the following
Gas Bearing) 1331. changes to the list of corollary experiments for
the Apollo Applications Program. Experiment
MARCH 2: NASA announced MSFC would SO16 (Trapped Particles Asymmetry) was
design and build in-house a multiple docking added to the pmgmm [381.
adapter (MDA) for use in an AA payload
cluster scheduled for launch in 196869. MARCH 24: NASA decided to add two solar
P r e l i m i n a r y d e s i g n s called for a array wings to its Apollo Applications Program
10-foot-diameter, 1 5-foot-long cylinder Orbital Workshop. The solar array wings on the
surrounded by five 3dinch-diame ter tunnels OWS would be 180 deg apart and run the
with docking collars and sealing hatches for length of the OWS. This addition was deemed
orbital docking [34]. necessary because of the increased electrical
15
March - July 1967
power requirements resulting from habitation APR IL 28: Douglas Aircraft Corporation
of the workshop. Until this change in merged with McDonnell Aircraft Corporation
requirement, the CSM had been considered the and became known as McDonnell Douglas
primary power source for the cluster except for Corporation 1401.
the Apollo Telescope Mount which would still
have its own solar arrays and power system MAY 24: NASA realigned its Apollo and AAP
WI. launch schedules as a result of the accident in
early 1967. This new AAP schedule ML-6
called for 25 Saturn IB and 14 Saturn V
launches. Major hard ware involved in these
launches would be two workshops flown on
Saturn IB vehicles, two Saturn V Workshops.
and three ATM’s. Also planned were nine lunar
missions and one MARS mission called
Voyager. According to this new May 24, 1967,
schedule the first launch of a workshop would
bein Januaryof1969 1413.
JUNE 26: T h e Manned Space Flight
Experiment Board approved the following
changes to the list of corollary experiments for
the Apollo Applications Program. TO23
(Surface Adsorbed Materials) and MS08 (EVA
Hardware Evaluation) were added and M 4 6 6
CLUSTER WITH SOLAR ARRAY WINGS (Suits and Lunar Hardware) and M 4 8 6
ADDED TO WORKSHOP (Astronaut EVA Equipment) were deleted
[421.
JULY 17: T h e Manned Space Flight
Experiment Board approved the following
changes to the list of corollary experiments for
the Apollo Applications Program [43]. The
following experiments were added :
16
July - September 1967
SO05 Synoptic Terrain Photography
17
September - November 1967
E x p u l s i o n ) , and DO18 (Integrated OCTOBER 26: An active cooling system
Maintenance) were deleted 1481. {fluid chculation) was incorporated into the
ATM thermal system to meet temperature
SEPTEMBER: Jeffery T. Hamilton was control reciuirements [ 5 1] .
assigned as the Acting MSFC Representative at
Manned Spacecraft Center as announced by Dr. NOVEMBER 9: NASA achieved a critical
Wernher yon Braun, Director, MSFC,in a letter point in the Apollo Program with the Apollo 4
to Dr. Robert R. Gilruth, Director, MSC. In flight (AS-Sol), an “all-up” launch from LC-39
addition to his duties of MSFC Representative, at KSC at 7:OO a.m., EST. The flight, termed
Hamilton also served as SaturnfApollo “perfect,” demonstrated that the spacecraft,
Applications Representative [49 J . heat shield, and lunar rocket met program
requirements [521:
OCTOBER 3: NASA published its kAf)
schedule ML-7, a schedule that reflected NOVEMBER 13: A NASA Resident .
current budgetary restraints. This schedule Management Office was established at Martin
reflected the reduced A M lunar activity t o Marietta Corporation, Denver Division, to aid
four missions and Saturn V Workshop activity in the management of the payload integration
calling for only 17 Saturn IB and seven Saturn c o n t r a c t ( N A S 8 - 2 1 0 0 4 ) a n d Apollo
V launches. During this program of 24 Saturn Applications Program (AAP). W.E. Davidson
launches, there would be two Workshops was appointed the joint MSFC/MSC Resident
launched on Saturn IB vehicles, one Saturn V Manager, reporting organizationally to L.F.
Workshop, and three ATM’s. Launch of the Belew, MSFC f 53 1.
first Workshop was scheduled for March 1970
[Sol. NOVEMBER 20: The Manned Space Flight
Experiment Board approved the following
changes to the list of corollary experiments for
the Apollo Applications Program IS41.
Experiment TO22 (Heat Pipe) was deleted and
the following experiments were added :
18
November 1967
S 100 Metric Camera and behavioral considerations and systems
development; scientific investigations in earth
SI 01 Multiband Photography orbit based on solar astronomy, earth
observations, a n d stellar astronomy;
S102 Du a ]-Channel Scanner-Imager applications in earth orbit based on
m e t e o r o l o g y , e a r t h resources, a n d
SI 03 Short Wavelength Spectrometer, communications; a n d extended lunar
exploration. “The activities involved in [ A M ]
S104 M i c r o w a v e Temperature represent major steps in the utilization of our
Sounder --
a p .a b
*.b
d “n I
\..A.Y.V.UC.V..
nt.3 t;nn 2nd gppli~atl~ns.In
particular, increased knowledge on the
DO17 Solid E l e c t r o l y t e Carbon effective integration of men into the total
Dioxide Reduction system should accomplish much in determining
the character, systems configurations. and
operational approach in future programs. The
NOVEMBER 27: NASA’s Apollo Appiications ability to capitalize on the large investments
Program Director, Charles W. Mathews, listed already made in the Apollo Program affords
basic objectives for AAP: Long-duration space the opportunity to carry on this work in
flights of men and systems based on unique [ A N ] in an efficient and economical manner”
capabilities of man, habitability, biomedical [551*
19
1968
21
January -April 1968
1968 JANUARY 25: The Post Apollo Advisory
C o m m i t t e e , authorized by the NASA
Administrator t o evaluate and make
JANUARY 9: A contract was awarded by recommendations on post-Apollo space
MSFC to Perkin Elmer for the ATM H-Alpha activities, held a meeting at MSFC. The
telescopes [561. committee, headed by Dr. Floyd Thompson,
Special Assistant to the Administrator, held
JANUARY 9: NASA budgetary restraints three additional meetings - February 15,
wqi-iire? an additional cut in AAP launches, as 1968. a t MSC; March 12, 1968, at
refiected in the AAP “Launch Readiness and Headquarters; and March 25 I% 26, 1968, at
Delivery Schedule ML-13A” released by KSC. The report (dated July 20, 1968) by this
NASA. The reduced program called for 12 committee .confirmed the basic objectives of
Saturn IB and 3 Saturn V launches, including the Apollo Applications Program and played a
one Workshop launched on a Saturn II3 vehicle, deciding role in its later evolution [ 591 .
and the program also called for one Saturn V
Workshop and one ATM. Two lunar missions JANUARY: William C. Houston was assigned
were planned. Launch of the first Workshop a s M S F C P r o g r a m Representative,
would be in April 1970. This schedule provided Saturn/Apollo Applications Program Office,
for a 15-month break in Saturn V production with duty station at KSC (601 .
with zero funding in FY 1969 [ 57 1.
FEBRUARY 15: Twenty NASA astronauts
visited MSFC for an orientation tour and
briefing concerning the Apollo Ap.pfications
Program (AAP), especially the Orbital
Workshop [61 I .
23
April - June 19638
desirable and possible to do so.” Both civil ModulelMDA Project, S a t u r n / A p o l l o
benefits and national security implications of Applications Program Office, MSFC 1681.
space program warranted continued strong
support. Contingency planning would leave Harold H. Stevenson was assigned as Resident
more room for budgetary or goal changes, thus Manager of the Airlock Module Resident
placating critics in Congress who claimed Management Office, St. Louis, Missouri. The
NASA had not provided them with sufficient Resident Management Office was an extension
flexibility [631. of the MSFC to provide on-site technical
direction to the contractor involved in the
MAY 1: Mr. Harold T. Luskin was appointed Satum/Apollo Applications Program MSFC
Director, Apollo Applications, in the Office of contracts 1691,
Manned Space Flight. Mr. Luskin came to
NASA in March of 1968 as Deputy Associate JUNE 4: NASA released it’s AAP, “Launch
Administrator for Manned Space Flight, Readiness and Delivery Schedule ML-14A.”
Technical [641. This new schedule decreased the number of
Saturn flights to 1 1 Saturn IB flights and one
MAY 9: The agreement to use the Saturn Saturn V flight. It called for three Workshops.
Automatic Checkout Equipment (ACE) at KSC One of the Workshops would be launched by ;z
for pre-launch checkout of the ATM was Saturn 1B atid another would serve as a backup.
included in a letter from Dr. Wernher von The third Workshop would be launched by a
Braun t o Dr. Kurt Debus [651. Saturn V, Schedule ML-14A also included one
ATM. Launch of the first Workshop would be‘
MAY 20: NASA increased the capability of in November 1970. Lunar missions were no
the Skylab Multiple Docking Adapter (MDA) longer planned in the AAP [701.
to provide for crew habitation and to perform
certain biomedical experiments in the event the
Orbital Workshop could not be made habitable
upon reaching orbit [ 661.
24
June - September 1968
JUNE 8: NASA successfully launched two
Aerobee 150 sounding rockets from WSMR.
The first rocket carried Naval Research
Laboratory and University of Maryland
payload to a 179-kilometer (1 1 1.3-mile)
altitude to flight-test flight design verification
u n i t ( F D V U ) o f h i g h resolution
spectroheliograph planned for use on Apollo
Te!esw=p:: Mcunt-A. Semnd rocket carried
American Science and Engineering, Inc.,
payload to 151-kilometer (93.7-mile) altitude
to obtain high resolution X-ray pictures of
active region of sun during solar flare and
general X-ray emission of solar corona. Rocket
and instrumentation performed satisfactorily,
but payload of first rocket failed to separate,
preventing functioning of parachute recovery
system [71].
25
September - December 1968
O C T O B E R 9: NASA released its AAP.
“Launch Readiness and Delivery Schedule
ML-15,’’ which slipped the first launch of a
Workshop into August 1971. This new
schedule called for eight Saturn 1B’s but nu
Saturn V launches. According to this schedule,
there would be one Workshop launched on a
Saturn IR, one backup Workshop; no Saturn V
Workshop scheduled; and one ATM with a
backup [ 781.
26
1969
27
January - March 1969
1969 Systems Engineering effort and the ATM
controls and display console on the Apollo
Applications Program. T h e estimated
JANUARY 6: The Manned Space Flight cost-plus-fixed-fee contract was 98,200,000
Experiment Board approved the following dollars 1871.
changes to the list of corollary experiments for
t h e Apollo Applications Program. Two JANUARY: At MSFC William K. Simmons,
Experiments were added: M 132 (Neurological Jr., and Elmer L. Field were assigned as
Experiment-EEG) and M512 (Materials Manager and Deputy Manager, respectively,
Processing in Space), which was a consolidation O r b i t a l Workshop Project (now Saturn
of M492 (Tube Joining in Space) and M493 Workshop Project), Saturn/Apollo Appfications
(Electron Beam Welding). Experiments SO65 Program Office [88] .
(Multiband Terrain Photography) and M489
(Heat Exchanger Service) were deleted [ 841. FEBRUARY 12: An Aerobee 150 sounding
rocket launched by NASA from WSMR carried
JANUARY 15: The underwater test program Naval Research Laboratory payload to a
that was begun at MSFC’s Neutral Buoyancy 187.9-kilometer (1 16.8-mile) altitude to record
Simulator several years earlier was providing photographically 18 EUV spectra of solar
information essential for design of first U.S. photosphere, chromosphere and corona, using
space station, NASA reported. Technicians, SPARCS and flightdesign verification unit of
design engineers, and professional divers in high-resolution spectrograph planned for
spacesuits and scuba gear were conducting ATM-A and ATM-B. Rocket and instruments
tasks similar to those necessary to activate performed satisfactorily [ 891 . .
space orbiting workshop. The tasks were
performed in a 1.4-milliongal water tank MARCH 4: A few days before Apollo 9
containing mockups of AAP cluster elements astronauts McDivitt, Schweikart, and Scott
(Saturn I Workshop, lunar module ascent stage, prepared to splashdown in the Pacific, other
Apollo Telescope Mount solar observatory, and astronauts were splashing down at MSFC.
Airlock and Multiple Docking Adapter), Three astronauts from the Manned Spacecraft
s i m u l a t i n g weightlessness o f space. C e n t e r , who were involved in Apollo
Weightlessness was impossible t o duplicate on Applications Space Exploration. worked inside
earth for longer than a fraction of a minute. the Neutral Buoyancy Simulator at MSFC. The
Conclusions from tests would be reflected in three were Dr. Edward G. Gibson, Lt.
the Workshop’s final design, with decision Commander Joseph Kerwin (a medical doctor),
expected m May 1969 [ 8 5 ] . Lt. Commander Paul J. Weitz. Inside the large
water tank the astronauts were able to
JANUARY 20: Dr. von Braun invited Dr. maneuver inside and around a full-scale replica
Gilruth of MSC t o send MSC representatives to of an Apollo Telescope Mount and Saturn I
attend a long-life hardware symposium at Workshop. The MSFC swims occurred during
MSFC on March 17-19, 1969. Dr. von Braun the week of March 5 [go].
stated that he “would like to encourage strong
participation from personnel at MSC who are
concerned with longduration missions such as MARCH 7: T h e Manned Space Flight
the AAP-2/4 and future Space Stations. Such a Experiment Board approved the following
meeting should benefit both our centers” f861. changes to the list of corollary experiments for
the Apollo Applications Program. Experiment
JANUARY 30: A letter contract between DO24 (Thermal Control Coatings) was added
MSFC and Martin Marietta Company was and Experiment TO23 (Surface Adsorbed
definitized for the Payload Integr-ion and Materials) was deleted [91I .
31
July 1969
the Apollo Applications Program. Experiments Saturn IB second stage as the 1971 Workshop
M112 (Man’s Immunity in Vitro Aspects) and to provide an environment in which man could
M I 14 (Red Blood Cell Metabolism) were added live and work for extended periods in space
f 1021. and to study man’s physiological and
psychological responses and capabilities in
JULY 18: NASA Administrator Dr. Thomas space. As a result of the Apollo Program
0. Paine approved the change from the “wet success the Saturn V hardware from that
workshop” concept t o the “dry workshop” program would be available for this revised
concept for the Orbital Workshop by signing a plan [104].
Project Approvai Document change request.
Dr. Paine’s approval of the “dry workshop”
concept followed a May 27, 1969, Apollo
Applications Program review presentation to
DELETE EXPERIMENT STORAGE
t h e administrator concerning the “dry KUlTlPLL O X K I N C ADAPTCR 8
ADD APOUO T[lfSCOQEM W N T COFiTROLS
8
workshop” alternative [ 1031. AND RISPVIYS
32
e*!
PAYLOAD SHROUD .
33
August 1969
scheduled for launch into low earth orbit in launched by a Saturn IB rocket, would
1972. The second Workshop would initially rendezvous in orbit with the Workshop. The
Serve as a backup. The Workshop would be a astronaut crew would live in the Workshop and
converted S-IVB stage in which astronauts conduct a variety of solar experiments with the
could live and work for periods up to 8 weeks. ATM equipment for 28 days. Later revisits Of
T h e e s t i m a t e d c o s t of t h i s upto56dayswereplanned[llll.
cost -p I u s-fixed-feelaward-fee con tract was
97,340,000 dollars. The contract would run
through July 1972, and work would be
performed at the.McDonnel1 Douglas Western
Division at Huntington Beach, California [ 1 101 .
34
___-
35
October - November 1969
OCTOBER 31: NASA decided to add
television cameras for interior coverage of the
Saturn Workshop [ 1 191.
ORBITAL WORKSHOP
36
Decem ber 1969
DECEMBER 2-4: T h e Cluster Systems SO39 Day-Night Camera System
Review was cnnducted at MSFC.Review teams
c o n s i s t i n g of representatives from S043' IR Temperature Sounding
Headquarters, MSFC, MSC, KSC, prime
c o n t r a c t or 6, and e x periment Principle so49 IR Interferometer Spectrometer
Investigators reviewed such areas as mission
requirements, attitude control, thermal/ECS, so50 1R Temperature Profile
instrumen tation a n d communications, Radiometer
structures, electrical, and crew systems [ 1241.
,Sn51 Daytime Sodium Cloud
OECEMBER 4: During the Cluster Systems
Review December 24, 1969, NASA decided so75 E 1e c - S c a n Microwave
for better reliability of the cluster electrical Radiometer
power to parallel the ATM electrical power
with the rest of the cluster through the airlock SI00 Metric Camera
module [ 125 I .
SI 01 Multiband Photography
DECEMBER 8: The Manned Space Flight
Experiment Board approved the following SI02 Dual Channel Scanner-Imager
changes to the list of corollary experiments for
the Apollo Applications Program. Experiment S103 Short Wavelength Spectrometer
S190 (Multispectral Photographic Facility) was
added f 1261. The following experiments were SI 04 M i c r o w a v e Temperature
deleted : ' Sounder
37
1970
39
January - February 1970
1970 FEBRUARY 12: The House Committee on
Science and Astronautics’ Subcommittee on
NASA Oversight released its “Manned Space
JANUARY 2: MSFC shipped the test version Flight: Present and Future” report. One of the
of the Saturn V vehicle’s third stage to the conclusions drawn by this staff study was that
McDonnell Douglas plant at Huntington Beach, after 1974 the U.S. would have no capability
California, for modification. The S-IVB stage for lifting manned payloads over 60,000
went from MSFC to the West Coast aboard the pounds into space and would have only three
Super Gr;ppy aircraft. The stage, fcmer!y vehic!es that mn!d !if+ 60 jOOO pounds payload
identified as the S-1VB 500 F or facilities stage. unless Saturn V production was resumed or a
would be converted into a Saturn V Workshop substitute was developed. Also, the U.S.would
“dynamics test article.” Once the modification have no longduration manned earth-orbital
would be completed, the stage would be used capability after 1973 without extension of the
in the Apollo Applications Program’s dynamics orbital workshop program or initiation of
and acoustics testing activity. The stage was development of the Space Station ( 1291.
formerly a part of the Saturn V facilities
vehicle used to check out manufacturing, FEBRUARY 20: NASA Headquarters
testing, and launching facilities early in the announced a change of the program name from
Apollo/Saturn V Program. MSFC received the Apollo Applications Program to Skylab
stage from KSC about January 1969 t 1271. Program. The Skyfab Program would be
designed to make maximum use of the existing
space hardware developed for the Apollo
lunar-landing series. Included in the cluster of
components making up the Skylab would be
the Workshop, airlock, a multiple docking
adapter, and an Apollo Telescope Mount [ 1301.
Experiments added:
SI 9 1 Infrared Spectrome er
Experiments deleted:
42
March - May 1970
NASA-Flight Research Center at Edwards, MAY 15: MSFC announced that NASA had
California [133]. decided to launch Saturn IB and Saturn V
vehicles scheduled for the 1972-1973 Skylab
MARCH: Overton S. Tyson was assigned as Program from Launch Complex 39 at Cape
MSFC Resident Manager, NASA Resident Kennedy. The decision to conduct Saturn IB
Man age m e n t Office, SaturnlApollo launches at LC-39, rather than Complex 34,
Applications Program Office, located at the Cape K e n n e d y , was reached after a
McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Corporation comprehensive study of the capabilities and
at Huntington Beach, California. Clifford L. costs of both locations, according to Skylab
Flora was assigned as Deputy Resident Manager Program officials. Normally, only Saturn V's
(1341. would be launched from LC-39 [ 13 5 1 .
43
May - June 1970
MAY 26: The ATM Critical Design Review
(CDR) was completed with the CDR Board
meeting a t MSFC. This review gave final
approval to the ATM design [ 1361.
Experiments Added
S 183 UV Panorama
APOLLO TELESCOPE MOUNT (ATM)
M i 33 Sleep Monitoring
MAY 26: The airlock module static structural
qualification testing was completed at MSFC Experiments deleted:
with the successful completion of the
125-percent liftoff loads test. The airlock TO17 Meteoroid Impact and Erosion
structural test article used for this test was later
modified to become the dynamic test article TO? 1 Meteoroid Velocity
used in the payload assembly vibroacoustic test
at MSC [ 1371. J U N E 18: MSFC awarded ;1 contract
modification to Martin-Marietta Corporation
JUNE 3: The ATM Thermal Systems Unit was for work on the Skylab Program. The
delivered from MSFC to MSC.It was subjected 13,460,726-doIlar contract was for continuing
to the temperature and vacuum extremes of a work on the Skylab’s multiple docking adapter.
space environment in the MSC thermal vacuum a n d t h e w o r k was being done by
chamber as part of the qualification program oi Mart in -Marietta’s Denver facility. This
the ATM [138J. nloditication covered design, developinen t.
44
June -July 1970
JUNE 29-30: NASA held a “Skylab and
Beyond” press briefing and tour of production
facilities at MSFC. William C. Schneider,
Skylab Program Director, said that the project
was “in the very critical phase of firming up
our designs.” Three missions were planned for
the 8-month lifetime of the 48-foot-long
workshop [ 1411 .
SKYLAB PROGRAM
45
Ju ly 1970
followed by other reviews, with more than 100 contract modifkcation totaled 38,979.000
MSFC personnel participating directly in doilars. The airlock module being developed at
various stages of the reviews f 1431. the St. Louis facility was a 55-foot-diameter
circular tunnel attached to tlie top of the
JULY 7: Dr. Wernher von Braun, NASA Workshop. It would provide the major work
Deputy Associate Administrator for Planning. area and support equipment required to
and eisht othcr NASA Headquarterc officials activate and operate the Workshop and would
began attending a series o f meetings at MSFC also form a passagcway for the astronauts to
to discuss the Skylab, the IIigh Energy inove from the ,4pollo command module and
Astronomy Observatory (HEAO). and futttrc rnultiple docking adapter in to the Workshop.
scientific space projects. Although a new arid The airlock could also be depressurized and
relatively small project as of this date. the sealed off for exit into space outside the
HEAO signified a type of' payload that could vehicle [ 147 .
become one of the major scientific experinieri ts
in early phases of the Shuttle flight program
[ 1441.
46
July 1970
47
August 1970
AUGUST 12-14: Lee B. James, charged with scheduled as the final technical review before
responsibility for the Apollo 13 review at approval would be given for manufacturing
MSFC, felt that the review had benefits beyond flight hardware. Skylab officials from MSFC,
the recommendations of the Apollo 13 Review MSC, KSC, and NASA Headquarters attended.
Board: “1 think a bigger purpose of the overall The MSFC delegation was headed by F.M.
review was we found out in the Apollo Dtummond. hlanager of the Airlock/MI>A
Program that occasionally the entire program Project, and Myrl Sanders, Deputy Manager.
needs to be shaken down by the very top Martin-Marietta was the Skylab payload
management in an overall review.. .that had integration contractor for the Marshall Center.
seldom happened in Skylab, and this Apollo 13 While MSFC was building the multiple docking
review gave an occasion to really spend some a d a p t e r external structure, Martin was
time from this one point of view t o go through integrating the experiments. Other contractors
the entire Skylab program, and to really check included t h e Bendix Corporatiotl and
it in the end from the top management point McDonnell Douglas Corporation, builder of the
of view. We get a lot of good out of these airlock and the Workshop f 1SO].
things; they turn up different things if there
isn’t any other way to d o this. . . I would watch
for occasions such as this t o give the program
an end-to-end review, and have a good orderly
review just for the good of the program I1491 .”
48
,
August - September 1970
the July 15, 1972, target date scheduled under
the earlier ML-18schedule [ 152J .
AIRLOCK ZERO-GSIMULATION IN
KC-135 AIRCRAFT
49
September 1970
SEPTEMBER 8: MSFC announced that the
flight design of the Saturn Workshop, a part of
the Skylab program, would be accepted in a
series of important reviews scheduled for the
next few weeks at MSFC in Huntsville and at
Huntington Beach, California. Government
engineers, astronauts, and industry
representatives would determine if changes
were necessary before the final approvaf would
be given for completing the flight Workshop
currently scheduled for launch into earth orbit
in 1972. First in the review series would be an
astronaut procedures review on September ORBITAL WORKSHOP (OWS)
9-10 at MSFC. Astronauts would study many
proposed Workshop procedures in a mockup. A station review followed a critical design review
critical design review would be conducted conducted September 14-1 8 at the McDonnell
September 14-1 8 at the McDonnell Douglas Douglas Astronautics Company facility at
Astronautics Company facility at Huntington Huntington Beach. California. At the time of
Beach, California. McDonnell Douglas was t h i s review. M c D o n n e l l Douglas was
manufacturing the Workshop for the space manufacturing the workshop for the space
agency. More than 200 government and agency. Results of the critical design and crew
industry representatives were expected to station reviews would be considered in a
participate in the critical design review. A Workshop Critical Review Board meeting
Workshop crew station review would be held October 2 at Huntington Beach, California.
September 21-24 at MSFC.Astronaut crewmen Results of these reviews would be used to
would walk through many of the Skylab tasks determine if changes were necessary before the
in this review. final approval was given for completing the
flight workshop currently scheduled for launch
Results of the reviews would be considered in a into earth orbit in 1972 f 1551.
Workshop Critical Review Board meeting
October 2 at Huntington Beach, with Leland
Belew, Manager of the Skylab Program Office,
presiding. Many of the same participants would
have taken part in a preliminary review of the
results September 28-29 at Huntington, Beach,
with William K. Simmons, Jr., Manager of the
Workshop project under Belew, acting as
chairman [ 1541.
50
September - October 1970
jllla I f i
51
October - November 1970
OCTOBER 26-27: US.-U.S.S.R. talks on the
possibilities for compatible rendezvous and
docking arrangements in space were held in
Moscow between the NASA delegation headed
by MSC Director, Dr. Robert R.Cilruth, and a
Soviet Academy of Sciences team headed by
Academician Georgy I. Petrov. During the
exchange of basic information on docking
systems, NASA officials described Gemini and
Apollo techniques, procedures, and docking
adaptors and the Skylab project. The Soviet
team described plans for a future system
similar to Apollo’s, with a tunnel between the
spacecraft to accommodate docking apparatus.
Agreement was reached that 12 scientific
technical elements required further joint study,
including guidance systems for rendezvous,
docking hardware, coordinate systems, and
reference markings [ 1591.
52
November - December 1970
NOVEMBER 18: The flight model of the
Skylab multiple docking adapter was flown
from MSFC to Martin Marietta Corporation
Space Center in Denver, Colorado, aboard the
Super Guppy aircraft. It would be outfitted
with controls and display panels for solar
astronomy and earth resource experiments,
storage vaults for experiment film, and a
t h r u s t - a t t i t u d e c o n t r o l system. When
completelv equipped, the adapter would be
mated with the Skylab airlock flight version at
McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company in
St. Louis, Missouri, and the unit would
perform simulated mission ic the altitude
chamber 11611.
ATM SUN END WORK STATION MOCKUP DECEMBER 2: MSFC announced that a
USED DURING EVA CDR Saturn Workshop would be shipped on
53
December 1970
December 4 from the McDonnell Douglas
Astronautics Company facility at Huntington
Beach, California. to MSC in Houston, Texas,
for extensive ground tests. This Workshop was
a ground test version of one which would be
used in the Skylab Program to accommodate
teams of three astronauts for stays up to S!)
days in earth orbit. Called a “dynamic test
article,” the Workshop model would undergo a
series of tests at MSC to verify its bending and
vibration characteristics. McDonnefl Douglas
teclinicians loaded the Workshop aboard sthe
“Point Barrow” for shipment to the Michoud
Assembly Facility in New Orleans. Louisiana.
The Point Barrow was scheduled to arrive in
New Orleans on December 17. The Workshop
would be loaded aboard a NASA barge at
Michoud for shipment o n December 30 to
Houston. It was scheduled to arrive at the
Houston port on January 5. MSFC was
directing the Workshop development program
I1621.
54
December 1970
where the two stages would be stored until D E C E M B E R 22: MSFC announced that
needed for flight missions. highlights of 1970 at MSFC included: Launch
of an Apollo/Saturn V vehicle (AS-5081,
The Workshop vehicle, destined for MSC, renaming the space agency’s embryonic Space
known as the “dynamic test article,” would Station project to Skylab, continuing work on
leave Michoud December 31 aboard the MSFC the Space Shuttle and Space Station, doing
barge “Orion.” It would be unloaded at a early planning on the unmanned astronomy
NASA dock at Clear Lake, near MSC, the first satellite (HEAO),and Dr. Eberhard Rees being
s w h hardware to move to the Houston center named MSFC director. These and other
in this manner, which was to arrive on January highlights combined to make the tirst year of
5, 1971. The Workshop model would undergo the decade an eventful one at NASA’s largest
a series of tests at MSC t o verify its bending field center [ 1661.
and vibration characteristics. Another Saturn V
stage (S-11-13) was taken from a test stand on D E C E M B E R 23: As assessment of the
December 18 at MTF. The stage would be feasibility of providing crew rescue capability
prepared during the following two weeks for for Skylab was conducted by the three MSF
shipment to KSC. It was scheduled to be centers during 1970. This culminated in a
loaded aboard the barge “Poseidon” on
December 30 at MTF. The barge would leave
Michoud on December 31 for the trip to KSC
1641.
55
1971
57
January - February 1971
1971 development, operations and data andysis.
MSC participated in these reviews to ensure
crew and mission operations requirements were
JANUARY 1: A Saturn V second stage (S-11) met. Among the significant items in this review
left MTF and stopped briefly at Michoud were: an update of the Martin Marietta
Assembly Facility before proceeding aboard Corporation facilities proposed to support
the barge “Poseidon” for KSC where it was Skylab was presented; the solar data from
scheduled for anival on January 5. The S-11-13 ground observatories required to support
would be stored at the KSC Vehicle Assembly mission operations were described by National
Building until readied for launch. This stage Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
would be a part of the two-stage Saturn V (NOAA) personnel and their recommendations
(vehicle 513) that would launch the Skylab were agreed to by the ATM PI’S with the
into earth orbit in late 1372 [ 1681. stipulation that additional data were needed;
and the ATM fiim study reported areas to be
’JANUARY 15: A group of potential Skylab worked such as temperature control and
crew members were taking a special course in radiation protection for film f 171] .
solar physics designed to provide them with a
background which would enable them to JANUARY 29: The first low-level acoustic
efficiently operate the Apollo telescope mount. run, designed to check out all systems and
The course was divided into extensive reviews instrumentation on the Orbital Workshop, was
of the introduction to solar phenomena, the successfully completed as scheduled. Acoustic
quiet sun, the active sun, and flares and testing was scheduled to continue after a data
explosive phenomena. Studies of the sun in real review [ 1721.
time were made possible by utilizing closed
circuit TV to bring pictures from MSC‘s solar FEBRUARY 8: A high-level advisory group
telescope to the classroom [ 1691. responsible for guiding NASA in all aspects of
mission safety opened a twoday meeting at
JANUARY 19: NASA announced that it was MSFC. The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel,
requesting proposals from potential U.S. and which was appointed by the NASA
foreign experimenters for investigations of data Administrator, was headed by Dr. Charles D.
to be acquired from earth resources experiment Hanington, President, Douglas United Nuclear,
package (EREP) to fly on manned Skylab Incorporated, Richland, Washington. At MSFC
spacecraft in late 1972. Data could be used to the group discussed safety aspects of.the lunar
appraise value and direct applications of space roving vehicle, the Skylab cluster of spacecraft,
o b se r v a t i o n s in agriculture , geography, and the proposed reusable space vehicle (space
forestry, geology, hydrology, oceanography, shuttie) E 1731.
and cartography. Objectives of EREP were to
extend use of sensors; use man to observe, FEBRUARY 10: The Kennedy Space Center
discriminate, and select study areas; and awarded a $9 17 900 contract to the Holloway
provide early source of unique research data Corporation of Titusville, Florida, to construct
for analysis [ 1701. a launcher-pedestal that would be used during
t h e upcoming Skylab Program. The
J A N U A R Y 26: An ATM Experiments 127-foot-tall pedestal would be adapted to an
Principal Investigator (PI) meeting was existing Launcher-Umbilical Tower so that
conducted at Boulder, Colorado, on January manned Saturn IB space vehicles could be
26 and 27. This was one of a series of meetings launched from facilities now supporting the
between MSFC, the ATM developer, and the larger Saturn V rockets. The Holioway
scientists who proposed the six solar Corporation contracted to construct the
astronomy experiments, to insure total launcher-pedestal in 180 days after receiving its
a g r e e m e n t on e x p e r i m e n t objectives, Notice to Proceed I 1741.
59
February -March 1971
F E B R U A R Y 23: MSFC granted to the per year will have declined from 26 in 1966 to
International Business Machines Corpora tion a 8. After the Skylab missions in 1973, we face
contract modification for the manufacture of at least four years in which there will be no
instrument units .(IU) for Saturn launch United States manned flight.”
vehicles. Valued at 14.407.743 dollars, the
rnodjfjcation would extend IBM’s delivery “Five years ago there were over 390 000
schedule for IU’s through December 31, 1973, people in industry employed on NASA work.
to be conipatible with the extended Apollo and By the end of FY 1971 that figure will be
Skylab Program launch schedules. IBM was about 108 000. The decline will continue for a
under NASA contract to build 27 IU’s for few more months, but we expect it ta start
Saturn vehicles: 12 Saturn IB’s and I 5 Saturn increasing by the middle of FY 1972. with the
V’s. Ten of the Saturn 1B units and 12 Saturn end-of-the-year total being about equal to that
V units had been completed. All work was at the beginning.” U.S. was “running a serious
being done at the company’s facilities in risk of losing too much of the aerospace
Huntsville, Alabama. The original IU contract capability that is an essential ingredient of our
had been granted to IBM in March 1965 for the long term national strength and security”
fabrication, assembly, checkout, and delivery f 1761.
of the 27 units and related support functions
[ 1751. MARCH 10: MSFC modified a contract with
Chrysler Corporation to authorize additional
work in the Saturn IS program. Chrysler was
the prime contractor for the first stage of the
Saturn IB, which it assembled at the Michoud
Assembly Facility in New Orleans. Under the
current 29,i 36,622-dollar modification, the
company would maintain nine Saturn 1R
boosters in storage. Three of the nine vehicles
were for the Skylab program and would bc
launched in 1973. Those three, plus a fourth
that would serve as a backup. would be
maintained and modificd as necessary under
terms of this con tract. Prelaunch checkout of
the Skylab vehicles would also be accomplished
under this modification. The period of
performance was from January 1, 1971, to
INSTRUMENT UNIT (IU) August 15, 1973. Six of the vehicles were
located a t the Michoud Facility. and the other
MARCH 1: Dr. George M. Low, Acting NASA three were at MSFC in Huntsville [ 1771.
Administrator, presented the NASA FY 1972
budget request to House Committee on Science M A R C H 1 1 : Orbital Workshop (OWS)
and Astronautics: FY 1972 projects - vibration test objectives, test articie status, test
including Apollo 15 and 16. two Manner facility preparations status, and test schedules
spacecraft, first ERTS satellite, and continuing were reviewed by MSFC and MSC during a test
work toward future flights of Apollo 17, readiness review for the Skylab OWS vibration
Skylab, earth resources and ATS satellites, and test at MSC on March 1 1 . The Test readiness
Viking probes -- represented “the fulfilment of review board concluded, upon resolution of
enterprises of the 1960’s, the tailing off to one test constraint, that the initial run could
completion of work in progress for many years. proceed as scheduled for March 19, 1971
By 1974 the number of NASA space launches 1781.
60
March -April 1971
MARCH 15: Workmen began the setup of the reviewing each compartment's storage areas
A m ' structural rack and payload shroud and running through deactivation procedures.
section for the ATM simulated flight loads test Astronauts participating included Alan Bean,
to occur in mid-1971 at MSFC [ 1791. Charies Conrad, Joseph Kerwin, Paul Weitz,
Walter Cunningham, Gerald Carr, Russell
Schweickart, William Lenoir, and Richard
Truly [1311.
61
April -May 1971
APRl t 13: NASA published “Skylab Launch MAY 6 : A Critical Design Review (CDR)of
Readiness and Delivery Schedule ML-20,” the EVA film transfer boom was conducted at
which moved the scheduled Skylab launch date Fairchild-Hiller on May 6. The projected
from November 1, 1972, to April 30, 1973 payload was 85 pounds, an increase of 15
rial. pounds since the Preliminary Design Review
(PDR). There were no significant action items
APRIL 15: Proposed Skylab rescue mission uncovered by the review, nor were any
profile requirements were: the tra.jjectory schedule problems identified [ 1863 .
planning for a rescue mission would be the
same as the nominal Skylab mission;norninal
mission duration from launch to recovery MAY 19: Space agency executives directing
would be limited to 5 days; the orbital the Skylab Program began participating in the
assembly would maneuver to provide Skylab Senior Management Tour at Martin
acquisition light support for the rescue Marietta Corporation on May 18. Skylab
Command and Service Module (CSM); the executives saw work underway at Martin
rescue CSM would be capable of rendezvous Marietta before moving on to visit West Coast
without VHF ranging; landing and reccrvery contractors. The group then toured North
would be planned for the primary landing area; American Rockwell at Downey and McDonnell
transfer of the crew from the MDA to the CSM Douglas Astronautics Company facilities at
would be in shirtsleeves (no extravehicular Huntington Beach. A second half of the tour
activity); the KSC rescue launch response times scheduled for May 25-26 would see Skyidb
would vary from 10 to 45% days depending on executives visiting McDonnell Douglas facilities
the transpired time into the normal checkout in St. Louis in the morning, then in the
flow [ 1831. afternoon they would visit MSFC, and then
visit KSC on May 26. A similar Skylab
M A Y 3: Approval has been given by managers’ tour had been held last year.
Headquarters of a Skylab external TV system. Executives taking part in all or a part of the
The system involves the use of the Experiment tour included Charles W. Mathews, Deputy
TO27 photometer extendable boom to extend Associate Administrator for Manned SDace
a television camera and motorized lens system Flight; William C, Schneider, Director Skylab
through either of the scientific airlocks in the Program, NASA Headquarters; Dr. Eberhard
Workshop. The previously baselined Skylab Rees, MSFC Director; Dr. William R. Lucas.
color teievision system consists of an Apollo MSFC Deputy Director, Technical; Leland F.
television camera and strategically located Belew, MSFC’s Skylab Program Manager; Dr.
television i n p u t stations that permits Kurt H. Debus, KSC Director; Miles Ross, KSC
observation of experiments and crew activity. Deputy Director; Raymond L. Clark, KSC
1t provides virtually unlimited internal Director of Technical Support; Christopher
coverage. The addition of the camera on the Kraft, Jr., MSC Deputy Director; Kenneth S.
E x p e r i m e n t TO27 b o o m will permit Kleinknecht, Manager of the Skylab Program at
observations of targets of scientific interest; MSC; and Astronauts Alan L. Bean and Charles
earth, EVA operations, and operations of Conrad of MSC.
various spacecraft assemblies [ 1841.
Also participating from industry were Walter F.
M A Y 3: The Manned Space Flight Burke, President and Chief Operating Officer
Experiment Board approved the following of McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company;
changes to the list of corollary experiments for Dr. Ben G. Bromberg. Vice President and
t h e Skylab Progwm. Experiment DO21 General Manager, and Raymond A. Pepping,
(Expandable Airlock Technology) was deleted Vice Resident and General Manager of the
[1851. Skylab Program, both of MDAC Eastern
62
May 1971
Division; Fred J. Sanders, Program Manager,
Skylab Orbital Workshop, MDAC Western
Division; and George Jeffs, Vice President
Space Division, and Joseph P. McNamard,
President Space Division, both of North
American Rockwell Corporation [ 187I .
63
June 1971
64
June 1971
JUNE 30: Russia’s worst space tragedy t o JULY 16: NASA approved the award to the
date brought quick reassurance from NASA the Boeing Company of a contract modification
NASA’s Skylab and Space Shuttle programs for systems engineering and integration work
should not be affected. The tragedy occurred on the Saturn V launch vehicle. The
as the three Soyuz 11 cosmonauts died on June modification was valued at 29,773,858 dollars
30, 197 1, as their spaceship brought them back and would extend Boeing’s integration work
to earth from the world’s first manned orbital through December 31, 1972. The basic
space laboratory and a record of nearly 24 days contract began in September 1964. Included in
in space. An official announcement said the the modification was work on requirements for
t h r e e s p a c e m e n ( L t . Colonel Gedrgy Saturn V vehicles that would launch the
Dobrovolsky , Flight Engineer Vladislav remaining Apoilo lunar exploration missions
Volkov, and Test Engineer Viktor Patsayev) (Apollo 15, 16, and 17) and the Skylab
completed their flight program the day before Program’s Saturn workshop. Boeing’s systems
and communicated with ground control on engineering and integration work at the time of
their way down. Soyuz 11 made a smooth this modification award included requirements
landing where it was supposed to, the and docurnen tation for presettings for onboard
announcement said, but the rescue crew that computers that determined launch events,
opened the hatch found the men dead. .The propellant loadings for all three vehicle stages,
announcement published by Tass, the official vehicle structural integrity, expected heating
Soviet news agency, said the cause of the environments, range safety, tracking and
deaths was being investigated. It gave no communication data, and post-flight
indication what that might be. In a NASA news reconstruction of launch data. Boeing was also
conference called on this same date by Dr. MSFC’s contractor for manufacture and testing
George M. Low at 1:30 p.m., Huntsville time, of the fmt (SIC)stage of the Saturn V [ 1981.
66
July - September 1971
JULY 20: The selection of the Centrifugal MSC during a test readiness review meeting
Separator Urine Collection S y s t e m , held at MSC. The board ruled that the test
manufactured b y H a m i l t o n Standard operations could proceed as planned [2003.
Company, was made by MSFC and approved
by NASA Headquarters in lieu of the Two Bag AUGUST 1 1 : An in-residence Orbital
System, manufactured by Fairchild Hiller Workshop task ieam was established at
Company. The selection was made primarily MDAC-W (McDonnell Douglas Astronautics
for its ability t o meet the required 2-percent Company-Western Division) by MSFC. The
volume measurement accuracy and less storage team’s purpose was to provide timely
area required for bags i1991. programmatic and technical interface with and
response to the contractor in matters relating
to hardware design, development, qualification,
manufacturing and checkout. W.K. Simmons,
Jr., MSFC Orbital Workshop Project Manager,
was appointed leader of the team whose
members represented the various MSFC
technical disciplines. Due to the significant
number of MSC operational and hardware
interfaces with the Workshop, MSC assigned
James Shows and Richard Truly as members of
the team I201 1.
67
September - October 1971
S E P T E M B E R 1 5 : T h e MDA Crew
Compartment Stowage Review was held
September 13-15. 1971, at MMC Denver,
utilizing the one-g trainer. Eight crewmen
participated, including newly promoted
Admiral Alan Shepard of Apollo 14 fame
[203].
68
October 1971
M553 Sphere Forming of 40 feet deep and 75 feet wide, ,which
simulated t h e weightlessness of space
M554 Composite Casting environment [210].
69
October - November 1971
OCTOBER 19: The Saturn IB first stage for NOVEMBER 15: in a letter to Dr. Rees,
the first manned Skylab launch vehicle was MSFC Center Director, Mr. Dale Myers,
removed from the environmentally controlled Associate Administrator for Manned Space
enclosure at Michoud Assembly Facility after a Flight, announced the formation of an MSF
3-year hibernation. This booster, one of nine Task Team to conduct a “Mid-Term” Review
IB stages stored there in December 1968, of the Skylab Program. The stated objectives
would begin a IO-month refurbishment were to assess the validity of the Skylab
program in preparation for Spring of 1973 Program Plan in terms of scope of work
launch [212]. planned and its relation to schedules and
resources, to validate the run-out cost with a
NOVEMBER 2: Dr. Fletcher, NASA new and bottoms-up estimate of resources
Administrator, approved the Skylab Student required to completion, and to make
Project, a joint effort between NASA and the management and technical recommendations as
National Science Teachers Association to required. The Task Team was scheduled t o
stimulate interest in science and technology by complete its work before Christmas of 1971
directly involving students in space research. In with a report to the Management Council at
this project, experiments proposed by students the January meeting [ 215 1.
would be conducted by the astronauts on -
board Skylab in the course of the three N 0V E M B E R 17: MSFC announced that
planned missions. MSFC was directed by the Skylab flight hardware manufacturing was
Skylab Program Director to perform the nearing cornple t i o n . Post-manufacturing
development and integration efforts and to be checkout would soon begin at industrial and
the NASA interface with the students. Upon G o v e r n m e n t installations. Major Skylab
selection, MSFC would design and fabrjcite the spacecraft components as of ,the date of this
experiments 1213 ] . announcement included the Workshop, Apollo
Telescope Mount solar observatory, airlock
hlOVEMBER 11: NASA added an astronaut module, and the multiple docking adapter
shower into the Workshop crew quarters [216].
[2141.
70
November 1971
71
November - December 1971
of the Saturn Program to allow modifications D E C E M B E R 9: T h e MDA Crew
in support of the Skylab Program. The contract Campartment Fit and Function Test was held
change was valued at 3,967,894 dollars and at MMC December 7-9, 1971. Skylab crewmen
would be completed by April 1, 1972. The participated [2201.
basic contract was for engineering and logistics
support by General Electric of Saturn launch
vehicle ground support equipment at KSC and
for opcrations of a systems development DECEMBER 13: The Manned Space Flight
facility (a “breadboard” simulator) at MSFC Experiment Board approved the following
and was scheduled to be completed by changes to the list of corollary experiments for
December 31, 1973. The new work detailed t h e Skylab Program. Experiment TO18
the manufacture and delivery of modificrttion (Precision Optical Tracking) was deleted
kits for the reconfiguration of ground support 1221 1.
equipment at KSC’s Launch Complex 39’ to
provide a Saturn IB launch capability to
support Skylab [2181.
DECEMBER 15: The prototype of the Skylab
NOVEMBER 30: Dr. Rees was so impressed Apollo Telescope Mount (ATkl) came back to
by a speech that NASA Administrator Dr. MSFC from MSC. The ATM protot)ipe arrived
Fletcher made before the National Space Club aboard the Super Guppy aircraft. At MSFC,
in Washington on November 18. 1971 , that he the ATM was placed in a clean room in tlie
sent the following memorandum to all key Quality and Reliability Assurance Laboratory,
MSFC officials: “Your attention is invited to where it would undergo systems checkout.
the enclosure, an address by Dr. Fletcher to tlie Following the Quality Laboratory checkout,
National Space Club. This address entitled, the prototype would undergo vibration testing
‘The NASA Space Program Today - and in the Astronautics Laboratory, and then
Tommorrow,’ is an excellent work, dealing would hc refurbished and serve as a backup for
clearly and concisely with matters pertaining to the flight model. While at MSC, the ATM
the Shuttle. In defining the current status and prototype. which was assernbled at MSFC, was
in announcing plans for the future, the subjected t o space conditions in a large
document stabilizes the NASA course in clear chamber used for testing the Apollo spacecraft
and unmistakable terms. The address is of great [2221.
interest and value to everyone at Marshall.
Accordingly, I ask that you give it the widest
possible distribution within your office or
directorate .” DECEMBER 15: An inter-Center agreement
was approved between the Manned Spacecraft
In the address cited by Dr. Kees in his Center and Marshall Space Flight Center
memorandum. one of the points made by Dr. detailing the responsibilities of the two Centers
Fletcher was that in the immediate future, for Skylab flight crew training in the Neutral
NASA’s space efforts should center in space Buoyancy Simulator at MSFC. The agreement
around the earth, and that with programs such was approved by Kenneth S . Kleinknecht for
as Skylab and the Space Shuttle, NASA would the Manned Spacecraft Center and by Leland
have an ideal opportunity to bring space F. Belew for the Marshall Space Flight Center
dividends back to earth [ 2191, [ 2231.
72
,
December 1971
73
. X_....._L_I., . ,, .,...., . ... ... .... . ~ ~ ".,, . .
, , ... ,,__ ... . ........
January 1972
1972 JANUARY 19: Skylab crew press conference,
with prime and backup crewmen, was held at
MSC. Astronaut Charles Conrad, Jr., said
JANUARY 11: During the MSF management preparations were on schedule for April 1973
council meeting held on January 1 1-1 2, two of launch. Contractor checkouts and tests of
the major council agreements were: to retain hardware were expected to be completed for
the currently planned Skylab launch readiness delivery to KSC in7uly. Skylab would carry
date of April 30, 1973; and to assign no more some 20 000 pieces of stowage equipment on
experiment or other effort requiring changes to board to provide fife support for 9 men for 140
hardware, flight plans, or training 1225 1 . days. “So it all goes up at one time, and we’ve
got a great deal of work to do, not only to
J A N U A R Y 18: Approval was given by learn how to operate this vehicle but also all
Headquarters for the addition of a video tape the experiments in it. It became apparent that
recorder to the Skylab TV System, after a we could not be 100 percent cross-trained as
presentation on the subject t o Mr. Myers and we had been in Apollo, so we’ve ...defined some
Mr. Schneider at MSFC. The addition of the areas for each guy to become expert in ... That
recorder will provide increased flexibility and allowed us to balance out the training hours.
the capability for more TV coverage. Playback Right now...we have some 2000 training hours
of the recorder will be controlled by the per man defined. We’ve been working on the
ground [2261. basic training for the past year...[ and] our
training hardware ...[ is] going t o be available to
J A N U A R Y 18: MSFC assigned Wayne u s f o r training ...a b o u t February 1.”
Patterson as the AM/MDA integrated test Commander would have overall responsibility
manager on site at MDAC-E with additional for mission and would be CSM expert. Science
MSFC personnel representing various technical pilot would be expert in all medical equipment
disciplines as required and resident office and in ATM and its associated hardware. Pilot
personnel to support the AM/MDA flight would be expert in Orbital Workshop systems
hardware integrated testing. He was responsible and electrical systems. Remaining experiments
for coordination of all interfaces between MSC, would be divided among crew members
MSFC, KSC, MMC, and MDAC-E relative to according to availability and choice [ 2291.
the tests. This included scheduling of all
planned a n d unplanned manufacturing,
retrofit, modification, and repair on the
Airlock and MDA [ 227).
78
February 1972
FEBRUARY 11: NASA awarded a contraci with delivery of the remainder in sight, and
modification t o t h e Martin Marietta operating of Skylab in orbit will begin before
Corporation to cover additional work relative the end of the coming Fiscal Year.”
to Skylab Program Payload Integration, the
multiple docking adapter, and the ATM C&D Skylab offered “an Earth observation
console. This modification required the capability never before available’’ to U.S.
contractor to provide additional ground manned spacecraft. During an 8-month
support equipment for horizontal checkout of mission, Skylab would fly over entire U.S.
the MDA [2321. except Alaska, over much of Europe, ail of
Africa, Australia. China. and almost all of
FEBRUARY 18: Vibration testing began on South America - covering 75 percent of
the ATM prototype at MSFC. After vibration earth’s surface and passing over each point
testing, the prototype was scheduled for every five days. By the end of 1971, 388
disassembly and refurbishment to become the investigations requiring Skylab data had been
backup ATM flight unit [ 2331. submitted, 249 U.S.and 39 foreign. Of these,
164 had been identified for further study.
Skylab was “first manned space flight program
designed specifically to carry activities and
equipment explicitly aimed at improving man’s
life on earth. It will contribute significantly to
the increase of knowledge of pure science and
is also a primitive space station, a forerunner of
permanent space stations of the future.”
Earth-oriented sensors would test technology
for synoptic surveys of many environmental
and ecological factors and give preliminary data
for management of ecological systems. Solar
and astronomical observations and other
science experiments would expand knowledge
of solar system, universe, and nearearth space.
Biomedical experiments would inform how
man’s well-being and ability to function were
affected by living in space [234 1 .
79
February - March 1972
--
to support the program on the established
schedule ; a comprehensive and systematic
program of reviews, tests, and analyses were
performed to produce high confidence in
technical performance with reliability and
safety; a greater number of formal detailed
program level plans and intercen ter agreements
were required in Skylab than in earlier
programs because of complexities of technical
organizational interfaces; limitations on travel
funds created problems; there was some
concern regarding the EREP where costs
exceeded the original plan; technical problems
remained; and PI’S had not been selected
[ 2361.
AIRLOCK MODULE FLIGHT UNIT PRIOR MATING OF AIRLOCK AND MOA FLIGHT
TO MATING WITH MDA FLIGHT UNIT UNITS AT MDAC-ED
80
~ ~~ ~~
APRl L 6: NASA announced the 25 national MAY 8: NASA officials met with 25 national
winners in the Skylab Student Experiment winners in the Skylab Student project
Project [2401. competition at Marshall Space Flight Center to
81
May 1971
discuss design of student’s space experiments American and a Soviet spacecraft and a
and demonstrations. During the visit students coordinated effort to explore and share
toured MSFC laboratories and Alabama Space information on space. The agreement was
and Rocket Center [ 2431 . formally signed May 24, 1972, in Moscow
[247).
MAY 11: The ATM Crew Compartment Fit
and Function (C2F2) was conducted at MSFC.
Skylab astronauts participated in this review in
which ATM flight cameras and film cassettes
were checked against their mission interfaces.
[2441.
M A Y 17: Skylab Orbital Configuration
Vibration Modal Survey test requirements,
facility overview, automatic modal tuning and
analysis system status, test article status, data
processing and handling, shaker installation,
and miscellaneous items were reviewed by the
test readiness board at MSC. It was concluded NASA’s FIRST 1973 SKYLAB FLIGHT WAS
that all mandatory test preparations and plans ON THE HORIZON AS THE U.S. AND
were complete and the test could proceed as U.S.S.R. SIGN THEIR HISTORIC
scheduled [ 2451. MAY 24,1972, SPACE AGREEMENT
IN MOSCOW
MAY 19: Skylab statistics were released by
NASA. Spacecraft, to be launched by two-stage M A Y 2 4 - 2 6 : T h e W o r k s h o p Crew
Saturn V rocket in spring 1973, would contain Compartment Fit and Function Test (C2F2)
370 cubic meters (13 000 cubic feet) of was conducted at MDAC-WD.Two astsonaut
working and living space. More than 13 000 crews participated in the rcview which
individual ‘items weighing a total of 5000 consisted of reviewing the Workshop flight
kilograms ( 1 1 000 pounds) for longduration article and the approximately 8000 stowage
space mission would be stowed, including 91 0 items and their respective stowage locations
.
kilograms (2000 pounds) of food, more than [2481.
2700 kilograms (6000 pounds) of water, 60
changes of astronaut jackets, shirts and 1
trousers, 210 pairs of shorts, 30 constant-wear
garments, 15 pairs of boots and gloves, 55 bars
of soap, 96 kilograms (210 pounds) of towels,
1800 urine and fecal bags, 156 rolls of teleprin t
paper, 104 film magazines, medical kit, 108
pens and pencils, and vacuum cleaner [ 2461 .
82
June 1972
JUNE 2: The Manned Space Flight
Experiment Board approved the following
changes to .the list of corollary experiments for
the Skyhib Prognun [249]. The following
experiments were added:
J U N E 2 3 : T h e p a y l o a d assembly
vibroacoustic test was completed. The dynamic
test hardware was then to be used for platform
i7t checks before destacking and shipment to
POST-APOLLO MILESTONES OF THE 1970's MSFC on August 1,1972 [2521.
83
I
June -July 1972
84
July - September 1972
56 days in a 20-foot chamber designed to following personnel appointments were made
simulate t h e Skylab orbital workshop by Leland F. Belew, Program Manager [2581:
atmosphere. This ground-based simulation test
was intended primarily for the purpose of George B. Hardy, Manager
obtaining and evaluating baseline medical data
for 16 medical experiments scheduled for Robert E. Pace, Deputy Manager,
Skylab involving studies of the cardiovascular Operations
system, the expenditure of energy to do
measured work, and food and nutritional Carlos C. Hagood, Deputy Manager,
investigations. The test crew was also engaging . Svstems
in a full schedule of activities involving work,
eating, leisure, recreation, and sleep [2551. Richard A, Marmann, Chief, Mission
Engineering and Operations Integration
AUGUST 3: The AM/MDA altitude chamber Branch
test was completed in St. Louis with the flight
crew participating in one ambient and one Daniel M. Germany, Chief, Test,
altitude run. The crew was at altitude for 8 Engineering and Operations Integration
houri and 4 minutes. Time was allowed for a Branch
2day run. However, it was not needed since
the run went smoothly [ 2561. Harry L. McDaris, Chief, Crew Systems
Engineering and Operations Integration
AUGUST 22: The Saturn IB first stage for the Branch
Skylab 2 amved at the Kennedy Space Center
aboard the NASA barge “Orion” and was Leslie F. Adams. Chief, Integration
immediately offloaded for processing in the Support Branch
Vehicle Assembly Building. Following
preliminary checkout in the VAB transfer aisle, Luther E. Powell, Chief, Electrical and
the S-IB-206 first stage will be erected atop the Communications Systems Engineering
39-meter (1 2$-foot) tall pedestal on Mobile and Integration Branch
Launcher 1 on August 31. The stage arrival
marked the first time in nearly four years that John W. Thomas, Chief, Mechanical
the 7168 kilonewton (1.6 million pound) and Control Systems Engineering and
thrust launch vehicle will have undergone flight Integration Branch
preparation in the VAB. The Saturn IB was last
launched by KSC from Launch Complex 34 on Carmine E. DeSanctis, Chief,
October 11, 1968, on the first manned mission Experiment Systems Engineering and
of the Apollo lunar landing series - Apollo 7. Integration Branch
That 1 I-day Earth orbital flight of Astronauts
Walter M. Schirra, Donn F. Eisle, and Walter SEPTEMBER 7: The Skylab Program reached
Cunningham proved the flightworthiness of the one of its final milestones with the
Apollo command/service module. A totaf of completion of the Orbital Workshop, the main
three Saturn IB’s would be launched from Pad section of the Skylab Space Station. As of this
B of Launch Complex 39 during the Skylab date, the Workshop was ready for shipment to
program [ 2571 Cape Kennedy from the McDonnell-Douglas
Astronautics Company, Huntington Beach,
AUGUST: As the Skylab Rograrn entered the California. For the previous several days,
operational phase, the Program Engineering NASA inspectors had been busy in California
and Integration Project, Skylab Program m a k i n g last-minute inspection of the
Office. MSFC. was reorganized and the 9SSO-cubic-foot Workshop, in final
85
September 1972
configuration resembling that of a Saturn V
moon rocket third state, which is 22 feet in
diameter and 48 feet long. A special ceremony
a t M c Donne11 Douglas commemorated
completion of this largest manned spacecraft
component the US. had produced to date, a
flying laboratory with a volume equivalent to
that of a five-room house. NASA officials from
Washington who attended the completion
ceremonies included NASA Administrator Dr.
James C. Fletcher, accompanied by Casper TRANSFER OF OWS, PAYLOAD SHROUD,
Weinburger, Direction of the Office of AND AFT INTERSTAGE FROM POINT
Management and Budget: Other space agency BARROW TO KSC DOCK AT VAB
officials present were William Schneider,
Skylab Progam Director in Washington, and
Dr. Eberhard Rees, MSFC Director. Also
attending from MSFC were Leland Belew,
MSFC’s Skylab Program Manager, and William
Simmons, MSFC’s Workshop Manager. Others
attending the dedication were Kenneth S.
Kteinknecht, Skylab Program Manager at
Houston’s Manned Spacecraft Center, Salter J.
Kapryan, Director of Kennedy Launch
Operations, and Robert C. Hock, Skylab
Program Management at Kennedy Space
Center. The following day, September 8 . the
Workshop would leave Seal Beach aboard the
USNS Point Barrow. It would arrive at
Kennedy Space Center 13 days later via the
Panama Canal [2591.
86
September - October 1972
87
October 1972
88
December 1972
89
December 1972
90
1973
91
January 1973
1973 JANUARY 22: An ATM Calibration Rocket
(CALROC) all-up systems launch was
accomplished a t White Sands. This was one of a
JANUARY: ATM backup NRL-A experiment series of launches to qualify the CALROC
and €4-Alpha No. 2 instrument were redelivered program prior to the Skylab mission [ 271 ] .
to MSFC for reassembly into the backup ATM.
The remaining experiments were planned for JANUARY 26: Dr. Eberfiard Rees retired as
delivery in January and February. The ATM Marshall Center Director, having served in that
backup unit was scheduled for reassetnbly and capacity since March 1, 1970. Dr. Rocco A.
wouid he In 8 ChPCkOUf mode by the Skylab ! Petrcxe, Ape!!e Prt?,marr, Elrector, becmle ?!?e
launch date { 270 J . new Center Director [ 2721.
94
February 1973
95
March 1973
MARCH 1: The second of a series of Skylab
orbital operations simulations, begun on
February 26,1973, were conducted at Johnson
Space Center (JSC) (formerly Manned Space
Center). These represented mission days 138.
139, and 140. MSFC supported these
simulations through active participation in
JSC’s Flight Operations Management Room
( F O M R ) , MSFC’s Huntsville Operations
Support Center (HOSC), and in other mission
support groups. A major effort simulating the
Skylab mission activities was planned from
February until launch to work out mission
support activities and to prepare all elements
for the real time mission support [2791.
MARCH 1: In the MSFC Skylab monthly MARCH 25: The flight hardware successfully
Program Review, D r . Rocco Petrone completed the first total mission operations
established the requirement for an MSFC flight sequence during the Mission Simulation and
hardware integrity review. The review activity Flight Readiness Test. This activity included
was to assure the integrity of MSFCdeveloped the SL-2 astronaut crew participation in the
liardware by reviewing in depth, at the simulated launches of SL-l and SL-2, mission
c o n t r a c t o r s ’ facilities and MSFC, the activation and operation, deactivation, data
specifications, design and design changes, dump, and power down [2821.
failures and test results of critical hardware
components and systems associated with the MARCH 30: A niajor launch vehicle milestone
a c t i v a t i o n sequences. The activity was was met when the launch vehicle flight
scheduled to be completed before the MSFC readiness test was successfully completed at
Pre-FRR meeting in mid-April I2781. KSC [283].
96
April 1973
Program Manager, followed by a series of
presentations by Skylab specialists on the
various systems, experiments, and research
efforts connected with the Skylab missions.
Included in the two days of activities were
tours of the High Fidelity Mockups and
Neutral Buoyancy Simulator. Of particular
interest among the displays were hardware
exhibits of experiments proposed by high
school sttidents. On Apr3 4 NASA &Q
announced firm launch dates for SL-1 and SL-2
as May 14 and 15, 1973, respectively f2841.
97
April 1973
F.qmnmcat -Sudni
98
April 1973
99
.. .. .
April 1973
100
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
AM Airlock Module
CM Command Module
DA Deployment Assembly
101
HEAO High Energy Astronomy Observatory
HOSC Huntsville Operation Support Center
IU Instrument Unit
LV Launch Vehicle
PS Payload Shroud
SA Solar Array
102
SAL Scientific Airlock
SL Skylab
W Ultraviolet
1. Douglas Aircraft Company: 1965 Manned Space Laboratory, Briefing Manual, SM-42587,
Nov. 1962, pp. 1-10; S-IVB As Manned Space Laboratory, SM-43257, Feb. 1963, pp. 1-67.
2. Interview with George Hardy, MSFC Skylab Program Off., Mar. 7, 1973.
3. Memo, Dr. George E. Mueller, NASA Headquarters, to Code AA, Aug. 6, 1965.
5. Minutes of S-IVB Orbital Workshop Conceptual Design Study Meeting, MSFC, Aug. 25,
1965.
10. A Chronology of the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 1966, p. 1.
11. TWX from Maurice J. Raffensperger, Director of Manned Earth Orbital Mission Studies,
Feb. 25, 1966.
16. Letter from Dr. G.Mueller t o Dr. von Braun, July 1, 1966.
17. Leland F. Belew, MSFC Skylab Program Off., History of MSFC Skylab Organization, Mar.
21, 1973.
19. Presentation by W.A. Ferguson, MSFC Orbital Workshop Project Manager, July 25, 1966.
20. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting, MSF, July 25, 1966.
23. A Chronology of the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Jan. I-Dec. 31, 1966, P. 27.
24. Letter from Associate Administrator, OSSA, to Associate Administrator, OMSF, Sept. 1.
1966.
25. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting. MSF, Sept. 19, 1966.
26. Leland F. Beiew, MSFC Skylab Program Off., History of MSFC Skylab Organization, Mar.
21. 1973.
27. Skylab: Preliminary Chronology (HHR-40), Comment Draft, Mar. 16, 1973.
28. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting, MSF, Nov. 21. 1966.
32. MSFC, PAO, Marshall Star, Feb. 1, 1967; NYT, Jan. 30, 1967; and, Reistrup, W.Post. Jan.
27, 1967.
33. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting, MSF, Feb. 6, 1967.
34. A Chronology of the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center. Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 1967. p. 21.
37. A Chronology of the George C. Marshall Spam Flight Center, Jan. 1-Dec. 3 1, 1967, p. 27.
38. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting. MSF, Mar. 20. 1967.
39. Letter from ML/Director AAP to MSFC AAP Manager, Mar. 24, 1967.
40. Douglas Airview News, Douglas Aircraft Corporation. Apr. 28. 1967
42. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting, MSF, June 26,1967.
106
REFERENCES (Continued)
43. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting, MSF,July 17, 1967.
47. A Chronology of the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Jan. i-Dec. 3 1, 1967, p. 7 1
48. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting, MSF, Sept. 18, 1967.
49. Leland F. Belew, MSFC Skylab Progratn Off., History of MSFC Skylab Organization, Mar.
21,1973.
5 2. A Chronology of the George C.Marsha11 Space Flight Center, Jan. 1-Dec. 3 1, 1967, p. 88.
53. Letter from H.H. Gorman to W.L. Hjomevik, Nov. 13, 1967.
54. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting, MSF, Nov. 20, 1967.
55. Skylab: Preliminary Chronology (HHR-QO),Coxnment Draft, Mar. 16, 1973.
62. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting, MSF, Mar. 18, 1968.
107
R E F ER ENCES (Continued)
66. Weekly Activity Keport to NASA Headquarters from MSFC Skylab Program Off., May 22,
1968.
67. Apollo Applications Program Directive SA, Feb. 1 2 , 1968: Change I to Apo'tlo Applications
Directive S A . May 23, 1968.
68. Leland E . Belew, MSFC Skylab Program Off., Iiistory of MSFC Skylab Organization. Mar.
21, 1973.
69. Leland F. Relew, MSFC Skyiah Program Off.. History of MSFG Skylab Organization, Mar.
21, 1973.
71. Skylab: Preliminary Chronology (HHK-40), Comment Draft, Mar. 16, 1973.
73. A Chronology of the George C. Marstidl Space Flight Center, Jan. I-Dec. 3 1 . 1968.
74. Leland F. Beiew, MSFC Skylab Program Off., History of MSFC Skylab Organization, Mar.
21, 1973.
75. IIistoriial Data. MSFC' Merno from Werner Kuers. MSFC ME bboratory to David S . Akens.
MSFC Historical Off., July-Sept. 1968, p. 1.
76. Minutes of hlanned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting. MSF. Sept. 16, 1968.
77. MSFC Press Release No. b8-I 24, Sept. 18, 1968. p. 1 .
80. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting. MSF, Nov. 4, 1968.
81. Letter from Dr. R.R. Gilruth, Director. MSC, to Dr. Wernher von Braun, Director, MSFC.
Dec. 14, 1968.
108
REFERENCES (Continued)
83. Leland F. Belew, MSFC Skylab Program Off.. History of MSFC Skylab Organization, Mar.
21, 1973.
84. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting, MSF, Jan. 6, 1969.
86. Letter from Dr.Wernher von Braun, Director, MSFC, to Dr. R.R. Gilruth. Director. MSC,
Jan. 20, 1969.
88. Leland F. Belew, MSFC Skylab Program Off., History of MSFC Skylab Organization, Mar.
21,1973.
89. Skylab: Preliminary Chronology (HHR-40), Command Draft, Mar. 16, 1973.
90. Neutral Buoyancy Simulator Daily Log, MSFC Process Engineering Laboratory, Mar. 4,
1969.
91. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting, MSF, Mar. 7, 1969.
94. MSFC Press Release No. 69-1 16, Apr. 18, 1969, p. 1.
95. Visitors Program Record, Protocol Branch, Public Affairs Off., MSFC, Apr. 29-May 1, 1969.
96. Flight Operating Log, MSFC Project Logistics Off., May 2, 1969.
97. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting, MSF, May 5 , 1969.
98. MOD 108 to Contract NAS8-4016, MSFC Contracts Off., May 16, 1969.
99. NBC Press Interview, May 18, 1969, taken from Aeronautics and Astronautics. May 18,
1969, pp. 179-180.
100. TWX from Scheer, June 10, 1969; TWX from W.C.Schneider, June 10, 1969; DOD Release
491-69.
109
REFERENCES {Continued)
103. Thomas 0. Paine. Project Approval Document Change Request. July 18. 1969. p. 1.
104. NASA Release 69-105, July 22, 1969, pp. 1-3.
105. Contract NAS8-25000, Oct. 17, 1968 (terminated July 23, 1969).
106. Leland F. Belew, MSFC Skylab Program Off., History of MSFC Skylab Organization, Mar.
21, 1973.
107. Contract NAS8-247 13, Aug. 1 , 1969.
1 13. Leland F. Belew. MSFC Skylab Program Off., History of MSFC Skylab Organization, Mar.
21, 1973.
I 14. Office of Manned Space Flight Management Council Meeting, Oct. 15, 1 969.
115. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting, MSF. Sept. 24, 1969.
1 1 6. Skylab: Prelimitiary Chronology (HHR-JO), Comment Draft, Mar. 16, 1973.
120. TWX from Schneider, Director Skylab Program, to Belew, MSFC Skylab Program Manager.
Nov. 3, 1969.
123. Leland F. Belew, MSFC Skylab Program Off., History of MSFC Skylab Organization, Mar.
21, 1973.
110
,
REFERENCES (Continued)
127. Fiight Operating Log, MSFC Project Logistics Off., Jan. 2, 1970.
128. -_ .A_,..
129. Manned Space Flight: Present and Future, Feb. 12, 1970.
132. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting. MSF,Mar. 9, 1970.
133. Visitors Program Record, Protocol Branch, Public Affairs Off., MSFC, Mar. 3 1 , 1970.
134. Leland F. Belew, MSFC Skylab Program Off., History of MSFC Skylab Organization. hfar.
21, 1973.
136. MSFC Skylab Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, May 26, 1970.
139. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting, MSF,June 1 1. 1970.
140. MOD 145 to Contract NAS8-24000, June 18, 1970.
141. Visitors Program Report, Protocol Branch, Public Affairs Off., MSFC, June 29-30, 1970.
142. Leland F. Belew, MSFC Skylab Program Off., History of MSFC Skylab Organization, Mar.
21, 1973.
143. Letter from Dale D. Myers to Dr. Eberhard Rees, MSFC, July 2; 1970.
144. Visitors Program Record, Protocol Branch, Public Affairs Off., MSFC, July 7. 1970.
111
R EF ER ENCES (Continued)
146. Change Order 128 under Contract NAS9-6555, Schedule 11, July 17, 1970.
148. MSFC Press Release No. 70-146, July 28, 1970, pp. 1-2.
149. Interview with Lee B. James, MSFC, May 21, 1971.
157. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting, MSF. Oct. 5, 1970.
158. Neutral Buoyancy Simulator Daily Log, MSFC Process Engineering Laboratory, Oct. 21.
1970.
160. Visitors Program Record, Protocol Branch. Public Affairs Off.. MSFC, Nov. 16-19. 1970.
161. Flight Operating Log. MSFC Project Logistics Off.. Nov. 18, 1970.
162. Marine Operating Log. MSFC Project Logistics Off., Dec. 2, 1970.
165. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting, MSF. Dec. 16, 1970.
164. MSFC Press Release No. 70-266. Ilec. 18, 1970, pp. 1-2.
165. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Off., Dec. 23, 1970.
112
REFERENCES (Continued)
168. Marine Operating Log, MSFC Project Logistics Off., Jan. 1, 1971.
171. Minutes of Apollo Telescope Mount P.I. Executive Meeting, Jan. 26-27, 1971.
180. Skylab, Subsystem Review at KSC, Action I tern Response, Apr. 1, 197 1 .
181. Final Review Board Minutes of the Crew Compartment Storage Review PM-SL-SW-508-7 1,
MSFC Skylab Off., May 7, 1971.
183. MSC Weekly Progress and Program Summary Report for the Administrator-Skylab Program,
Apr. 15, 1971.
186. MSC Skylab Program Office Weekly Activity Report, May 14,1971.
113
REFER ENCES (Continued1
189. Leland F. Belew, MSFC Skylab Program Off., History of MSFC Skylab Organization. Mar.
21. 1973.
190. Marine Operating Log, MSFC Project Logistics Off.. June 3, 197 1.
192. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Of!., June 77, 1071.
195. Inflight Calibration of Skylab Experiments S O 5 2 and S O 8 2 ; Letter from Mr. Schneider to
Mr.Belew, MSFC, June 25, 1971.
196. The Huntsville Times, June 30. 1971. pp. 1-2.
197. Headquarters Skylab Subsystem Review Action Item Response, July 8, 1971
198. MOD 492 to Contract NAS8-5608 Schedule 11, July 16, 1971.
199. MSFC Skylab Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, July 27, 1971; and MSF hfCM, Oct.
6 , 1971.
200. Memo, G.E. Griffith. StructureslMechanics Division in Engineering and Development, MSC.
202. Flight Operating Log, MSFC Project Logistics Off., Sept. 8, 1971.
203. MSFC Skylab Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, Sept. 21. 197 I .
207. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting, MSF, Oct. 4. 1971.
208. MSFC Skylab Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, Oct. 12, 1971.
209. Daily Operating Log, MSFC Project Logistics Off., Oct. 1 I , 1971.
114
REFERENCES (Continued)
21 3. Letter from MLIDirector Skylab Program to MSFC Skylab Program Manager, Nov. 2. 197 I .
21 4. Letter from Schneider. Skylab Program Director, to Belew. MSFC Skylab Prog+am Manager.
Nov. 1 1 , 1971.
220. MSFC Skylab Weekly Activity Report to fieadquarters, Sept. 14, 1971.
221. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting, MSF, Dec. 13. 1971.
222. Flight Operating Log, MSFC Project Logistics Off., Dec. 15. 197 1.
223. MSCM 8010, Program Management Guide, Dec. 15, 1971.
224. Flight Operating Log, MSFC Project Logistics Off., Dec. 17, 197 1.
227. Letter from F._Drummond, MSFC Skylab AMlMDA Project Manager. to E. Lundergan,
MDAC-E, Jan. 18, 1972.
115
REFERENCES (Continued)
230. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Off.. Feb. 1 . 1972.
231. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Off., Feb. 15, 1972.
233. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Off., Feb. 22, 1972.
234. Skylab: Preliminary Chronology (HHR-QO), Comment Draft, Mar. 16, 1973.
235. MSC Release 72-19.
237. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters. MSFC Skylab Program Off., Mar. 7, 1972.
238. Jack Waite, MSFC Skylab Program Off.. Mar. 27, 1972.
239. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Off., Apr. 1 I . 1972.
240. NASA Release 72-71.
248. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Off., May 30. 1972.
249. Minutes of Manned Space Flight Experiments Board Meeting, MSF. June 2, 1972.
250. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters. MSFC Skylab Program Off., June 5. 1972.
251. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Off., June 13, 1972.
I16
REFERENCES (Continued)
252. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Off., June 27, 1972.
253. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Off., June 27,1972.
254. Skylab: Preliminary Chronology (HHR40), Comment Draft, Mar. 16, 1973.
255. MSC Release 72-1 35, June 23, 1972; and MSC Release 72-170, Aug. 2,1972.
259. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Off., Sept. 12, 1972.
260. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Off., Sept. 26, 1972.
261. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Off., Oct. 3, 1972.
262. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Off., Oct. 10, 1972.
263. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Off., Oct. 10, 1972.
264. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Off., Oct. 24, 1972.
265. Weekly Activity Report to Headqurrrters, MSFC Skylab Program Off., Oct. 3 1, 1972.
. 266. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Off., Oct. 3 1, 1972.
267. MSFC, PAO, Marshall Star, Dec. 13,1972.
268. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Off., Dec. 19, 1972.
271. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Off., Jan. 23, 1973.
117
R EF ER ENCES (Concluded)
278. Skylab, Mar 1, 1973 Program Review Action Itenis itnd Weekly Activity Report 10
Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Off.. Mar. 20, 1973.
279. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Off.. Mar. 6, 19’73.
283. KSC Skylab Spacecraft Integrated Daily Schedule. Mar. 30, 19’73.
285. MSFC Schedules and Status Summary, Apr. 30, 1973; anti MSFC Skylab Student Project
Summary Description, Feb. 1973.
286. Weekly Activity Report to Headquarters, MSFC Skylab Program Off., Apr. 10. 1973,
I 118