Save Skylab!

[ozspace]

Please go to this site and help to save another piece of space history.<br />http://saveskylab.org/<br /><br />In 1968 NASA ordered two identical flight qualified space stations (Skylab) built along with 3 full<br />scale training mockups. One flight version, the 1st US Space Station was flown in 1973 and<br />orbited the Earth until 1979; the second flight element is now on display at the National Air and<br />Space Museum. One full scale mockup, used by astronauts and engineers at MSFC during the<br />3 crewed Skylab missions (73-74) was on display for many years at the US Space and Rocket<br />Center located in Huntsville Alabama. Several years ago the Skylab exhibit was moved<br />outside. The original temporary weather coverings have failed and Skylab has suffered the<br />effects of rain, sun, wind, plants, dust/dirt, mold, animals and vandals. Right now the Skylab<br />artifact is nearing a point of no return.<br />

 

[georgeniebling]

That *is* a sad case .... but no more sad than the remains of the Saturn V boosters and etc. scattered throughout ....<br /><br />

 

[themanwithoutapast]

or the Buran orbiters in Baikonour. There is a lot of space junk in the US and Russia that might be worth saving.

 

[georgeniebling]

I have a friend who has one of Michael Collins space suits .... I think it was a MOL suit actually ....<br /><br />lots of great stuff ....

 

[vt_hokie]

I'm pretty sure I've been in Skylab! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> It's been a while, but iirc you can walk through the one at the National Air & Space Museum, right?

 

[yoda9999]

Why don't they auction these things off to people who want to take care of them? <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" />

 

[drwayne]

Yes, you can, or could...<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[drwayne]

I think you run into a bit of a catch 22 here. People who are rich enough to do such things are generally not frivilous enough with their dollars to do it. So such things, if they end up with someone, end up with someone trying to make a buck - and usually failing.<br /><br />Not to mention various legal hurdles that limit the sort of person that could do this...<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[publiusr]

I love Skylab. It is living proof that the Mega-Module approach DOES work. Skylab was done when it was launched--by an HLLV. But it has been forgotton, in favor of the idiot NASCAR rocket raceers like the guy who bashed the Mega module approach in an article on Space.com that never should have been posted--with the credientials of than author in my view being no better than the guy from Wired.<br /><br />Rutans stuff will continue to clog (public-funded)museums while he and the Tumlinson types bash govt. They don't want to help you--because they are pulling the wool over your eyes.<br /><br />But let the dead bury the dead. As much as it pains me to say this--there is a more noble cause for your attention. Support Mike Griffin. Support Ares V and one day--something like Skylab wil fly again.<br /><br />Or you can go on lamenting Skylab and other works, while the thieves who have stolen Space advocacy sell you their Ayn Rand Kool-Aid.<br /><br />Don't drink it.