Skylab EVA Painting

A painting by artist Paul Fjeld illustrates the scene during the June 7, 1973, Skylab 2 extravehicular activity in Earth orbit when astronauts Joseph P. Kerwin (larger figure) and Charles Conrad Jr. cut the aluminum strapping which prevented the Skylab Orbital Workshop solar array panel from deploying. The action portrayed here is about two to four seconds after using the beam erection tether, when the two crewmen broke the frozen SAS beam actuators and successfully deployed the solar array panel. As a result, however, they suddenly cartwheeled into space. Umbilical cables kept them attached to the space station, and they were able to safely get back inside.