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In 1962 and 1963, Carl Mellren Hanson, an employee of Douglas Aircraft Company, Inc. traveled the country promoting his idea to transform the Saturn V stage into a manned space laboratory. This idea eventually caught the attention of Wernher von Braun of NASA. Although von Braun was intrigued by Hanson's proposal, he considered the idea too risky. Soon after, work began on Skylab. Hanson's proposed idea helped to lay the groundwork for the Skylab program.
NASM.2006.0057
Hanson, Carl M.
bulk 1962-1967
Carl Hanson, Gift, 2006
0.72 Cubic feet ((2 boxes))
National Air and Space Museum Archives
This collection consists of slides, transparencies, photographs, sketches, and documents donated by Carl Hanson documenting his proposal to transform the Saturn V stage into a manned space laboratory. Included here are patent applications and correspondence for the Space Vehicle Centrifuge; NASA Technical Note D-1504, "A Report on the Research and Technological Problems of Manned Rotating Spacecraft" August 1962; two copies of the ASME publication, "Utilization of Expended Booster Stages for Manned Space Laboratories;" March 7, 1963 press release; four reports from the Missile and Space Systems Division of the Douglas Aircraft Company, Inc.; four sketches; 28 photographs; and 63 slides used for his presentation.
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
No restrictions on access.
Manned Space Laboratory Proposal Papers, Accession number 2006-0057, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Space flight
Skylab Orbital Workshop
Astronautics
Saturn 5 Launch Vehicle
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Sketches
Slides (photographs)
Transparencies
Photographs
Reports