Fun Trivia : Space Stations

Structure Sub-topic of: Man in Space Quizzes Interesting Questions, Facts and Information There are a total of 10 general entries. Special Topics Know The Space Station? 2 Know The Space Station? 1

Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information

Space Stations

On what date was the Skylab station launched into earth orbit?

Skylab Space Stations


May 14, 1973. The last Saturn V moon rocket ever to fly boosted Skylab into orbit from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 14, 1973.



Which moonwalking astronaut commanded Skylab 1, the first manned mission to the station?

Skylab Space Stations


Charles Conrad. Skylab 1 marked Conrad's fourth and final trip into space. He flew two Gemini missions and commanded the Apollo 12 mission to the Ocean of Storms. Conrad stayed on board the station along with pilot Paul Weitz and mission scientist Joseph Kerwin for 28 days, May 25-June 22, 1973.



Which transient astronomical body was the subject of intense observation by Skylab's final crew, Skylab 3?

Skylab Space Stations


Comet Kohoutek. One of the highlights of the Skylab program was the Skylab 3 crew's study of Comet Kohoutek as it raced through the inner Solar System.



How long did the crew of Skylab 2 stay in space?

Skylab Space Stations


59 days. The Skylab 2 mission continued where Skylab 1 left off--making repairs to the station to enhance its performance and conducting a wide array of scientific experiments. The mission lasted from July 28 to September 25, 1973.



What unusual distinction did the crew of Skylab 3 hold?

Skylab Space Stations


It was an all-rookie crew.. Commander Gerald Carr (USMC), Pilot William Pogue (USAF) and Scientist Edward Gibson comprised the first and only all-rookie crew during the entire Apollo program.



What physical phenomenon is typically blamed for the demise of Skylab?

Skylab Space Stations


Sunspots. Skylab's orbit around the earth gradually decayed after the last crew left it in 1974. Originally, NASA figured the station would remain in orbit until at least the first space shuttle launch, scheduled for 1979, and possibly as long as 1982. However, as sunspot activity increased, the atmopshere expanded, creating drag on the uninhabited station. When the shuttle program fell behind schedule, Skylab's fate was sealed.



When did Skylab re-enter the earth's atmosphere?

Skylab Space Stations


July 11, 1979. After some 36,000 orbits around the earth, the 85-ton Skylab streaked through the atmosphere. Although most of the station burned up on re-entry, some pieces landed in the Indian Ocean and in Western Australia.



Which future space shuttle commander served as the backup commander for both the Skylab 2 and Skylab 3 missions?

Skylab Space Stations


Vance Brand. Before flying the space shuttle, Vance Brand served as the command module pilot during the joint Apollo-Soyuz mission in 1975. He commanded three space shuttle missions between 1982 and 1990, including the first operational (non-test) flight of the space shuttle Columbia (STS-5).