Our first home in space
Skylab, launched to space on May 14, 1973, was the first U.S. space station. Accordingly, the photo above, taken on February 8, 1974, symbolizes this major milestone in space exploration. The Skylab 4 crew, consisting of Gerald Carr, Edward Gibson, and William Pogue, captured this view upon leaving the station for the last time.
Related article: Skylab, the First U.S. Space Station, Changed What We Thought Was Possible in Orbit
Skylab played a pivotal role in popularizing space exploration, inspiring public interest, and highlighting the potential for long-duration human missions in space. It also underscored the scientific capabilities of orbital space stations, particularly in solar astronomy and studies on the effects of microgravity on humans, thereby influencing the future direction of space research.
