Skylab Mock-Up - US Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL - Static Aircraft Displays on Waymarking.com

There are dozens of rockets, missiles, missile launchers, and other aircraft on static display outside of the Main Exhibit Building at the US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL.

The waymarked Skylab Mock-Up is located near the Space Shot Ride and the Chinook Helicopter.

Interpretive signs at the Skylab Mock-Up read as follows:

"SKYLAB

Sections of this Skylab mock-up were used at Marshall Space Flight Center in the water-filled Neutral Buoyancy Simulator tank. This tank simulates the microgravity conditions of space during training of Skylab astronaut crews. The spacesuited astronaut Ed Gibson is performing an Extra Vehicle Activity (EVA) in front of the Apollo telescope mount. The ATM was used by Skylab crews to obtain thousands of solar images that have greatly improved our understanding of Earth’s closest star.

[sign 1]

NASA SKYLAB

Skylab, the United States’ first space station, was manned from May 25, 1973 to February 8, 1974 by three separate astronaut crews. Experiments were performed to enrich our knowledge of earth, sun, stars and cosmic space; to study the effects of long periods of weightlessness on living organisms (including humans); and to develop space processing and manufacturing techniques. Experiments were also performed to develop methods and equipment for observing and monitoring earth to aid in solving problems of pollution, erosion, crop failure, storm destruction, and mineral depletion.

Skylab reentered Earth’s atmosphere July 11, 1979. During reentry, Skylab disintegrated, spraying debris over parts of Australia. One of the largest pieces were covered is on display here at the US Space and Rocket Center. Guests are invited to see and walk through the Skylab located inside the museum.

Built for NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.

Contractors:
McDonnell Douglas Corporation (Orbital Workshop And Airlock Module)
Martin Marietta Corporation (Multiple Docking Adapter)
Marshall Space Flight Center (Apollo Telescope Mount)
Ball Brothers Research Corporation, Bendix, Honeywell, and Perkin-Elmer designed and manufactured the ATM science instrumentation.

[sign 2]

SKYLAB PROGRAM CLUSTER CONFIGURATION

Skylab made nearly 35,000 orbits in a time period of 2.249 days and traveled a distance of 1,000,000,000 miles.

Skylab crews I, II, and III spent 28 days, 59 days, and 84 days respectively, in earth orbital missions."

Type of Aircraft: (make/model): Skylab Mock-Up Construction:: replica Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): US Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville AL inside / outside: outside Access restrictions: Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Tail Number: (S/N): Not listed Other Information:: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)

Tell why you are visiting this waymark along with any other interesting facts or personal experiences about the aircraft not already mentioned.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   08/03/2017 Benchmark Blasterz visited it