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Orbital Workshop, Skylab, Backup Flight Unit

Air and Space Museum

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International media Interoperability Framework
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  • Full view of a blue, white, and silver cylindrical structure. The white and blue sections are textured.

    Object Details

    Manufacturer

    McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co.

    Summary

    The orbital workshop is the largest component of Skylab, America's first space station. It houses the living quarters, work and storage areas, research equipment, and most of the supplies needed to support a succession of three-man crews. Two complete Skylab space stations were manufactured and equipped for flight, and one was launched into Earth orbit in May 1973. After the Skylab program was canceled as effort shifted to Space Shuttle development, NASA transferred the backup Skylab to the National Air and Space Museum in 1975. On display in the Museum's Space Hall since 1976, the orbital workshop has been slightly modified to permit viewers to walk through the living quarters.

    Alternate Name

    Skylab Orbital Workshop

    Key Accomplishment(s)

    America's First Space Station

    Brief Description

    The orbital workshop is the largest component of Skylab. It housed living quarters, work and storage areas, research equipment, and supplies needed to support a succession of three-man crews. This is one of two complete Skylab space stations manufactured.

    Credit Line

    Transferred from National Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Inventory Number

    A19761033000

    Restrictions & Rights

    Usage conditions apply

    Type

    SPACECRAFT-Crewed

    Materials

    Structure: various metals, primarily aluminum

    Dimensions

    Overall: 48 ft. tall x 21 ft. 7 1/16 in. diameter, 78000 lb. (1463.04 x 658.02cm, 35380.6kg)

    Country of Origin

    United States of America

    See more items in

    National Air and Space Museum Collection

    Data Source

    National Air and Space Museum

    Metadata Usage

    Not determined

    Link to Original Record

    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9e2044a5e-a0a1-49ed-be77-4c0e69cded6b

    Record ID

    nasm_A19761033000

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    Human Spaceflight

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