SKYLAB'S PURPOSE
was to look at Earth, take measurements and decide how man can improve life thereon.
Skylab was to probe the sun as the main source of energy and evaluate man's ability to live and work in space over long periods of time.
It was an important step for NASA in preparing for future routine space operations before the planned flights of the space shuttles.
INVESTIGATIONS
Skylab was set to embrace as many disciplines as possible that would take advantage of the unique properties of the orbital environment:
- Unique view of the Earth
- Weightlessness
- No interference from the atmosphere
Over 1000 senior scientists and engineers were involved in the analysis and the reporting of Skylab data.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Within one year of research on Skylab humanity found more information about the sun than in its entire history up to that point.
It demonstrated the use of remote sensing for snow mapping, sea state determination, and ocean current charting.
It examined the growth and termination of hurricanes.
It gathered evidence that space affected human physiological processes, in particular the cardiovascular system.
It found that crystals grown in space were higher in quality, and in some cases unique crystal growth phenomena occurred.
In stellar astronomy experiments, it obtained scientific data on hot stars in two-thirds of the Milky Way region.
and much, much more…