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 Summary

Images of early interior design concepts of the Skylab main interior.

 Biographical / Historical

Skylab, the United States' first manned space station, was launched in 1973 as part of National Aeronautics and Space Administration's space program. It was made from the third stage of a Saturn V launch vehicle and served as an orbiting laboratory for scientific research over its operational life. Contributing to solar observations, biomedical studies, and Earth observations, it paved the way for future space stations and enhanced our understanding of long-duration space travel. Before concluding in 1974, Skylab hosted three manned missions with three astronauts at a time. Within its limited space, Skylab's interior design focused on functionality incorporating multi-purpose elements to maximize efficiency. The station featured sleeping quarters, a dining area, and a scientific laboratory, ingeniously utilizing walls and floors for storage and workspaces. Its design innovations set precedents for future space habitats and influenced subsequent spacecraft designs.

 Identifier

NASM.2014.0001

Creator

Douglas Aircraft Company

Date

1960-2013

Provenance

Donald A. Gerds, Gift, 2013, NASM.2014.0001

Extent

.49 Cubic feet ((1 box))

Archival Repository

National Air and Space Museum Archives

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of 11 color slides, 23 color prints, 49 digital scans, and two slide presentations of drawings all relating to early interior design concepts of the Skylab main interior. Across all medium, majority of images are duplications; all unique imagery can be found in "Skylab slide scans" within this finding aid. There is also one brochure, Skylab, produced by the McDonnell Douglas Corporation.

Arrangement note

Physical material arranged by media.

Rights

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

Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Citation

Skylab Interior Design Concept Photography, NASM.2014.0001, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Topics

Astronautics

Manned space flight

Space vehicles

Skylab Orbital Workshop

Type

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Photographic prints

Color slides

Dvds