NASA Skylab 2 Saturn IB
Rocket Launch Video Stream
Meet the Astronaut Crew
Pete Conrad
| Birthday | 06/02/1930 |
|---|---|
| Role | Commander |
| Nationality | United States of America |
| First Flight | 08/21/1965 |
| Last Flight | 05/25/1973 |
Charles "Pete" Conrad Jr. was an American NASA astronaut, aeronautical engineer, naval officer and aviator, test pilot, and during the Apollo 12 mission became the...
Paul J. Weitz
| Birthday | 07/25/1932 |
|---|---|
| Role | Pilot |
| Nationality | United States of America |
| First Flight | 05/25/1973 |
| Last Flight | 04/04/1983 |
Paul Joseph Weitz was an American naval officer and aviator, aeronautical engineer, test pilot, and NASA astronaut, who flew into space twice. He was a...
Joseph P. Kerwin
| Birthday | 02/19/1932 |
|---|---|
| Role | Science Pilot |
| Nationality | United States of America |
| First Flight | 05/25/1973 |
| Last Flight | 05/25/1973 |
Joseph Peter Kerwin, M.D. is an American physician and former NASA astronaut, who served as Science Pilot for the Skylab 2 mission from May 25–June...
About the Skylab 2 Mission
| Type | Human Exploration |
|---|---|
| Orbit | Low Earth Orbit |
Skylab 2 (also known as SL-2 or SLM-1) was the first crewed mission to the first US orbital space station Skylab. The mission began on May 25, 1973, 13:00:00 UTC with the launch of a three-person crew. Crew members were the Commander Charles "Pete" Conrad, Jr., Science Pilot Joseph P. Kerwin and Pilot Paul J. Weitz. During their 26-day stay on the station, crew performed station repairs and conducted scientific, medical experiments, gathered solar and Earth science data. The mission ended successfully with the splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on June 22, 1973, 13:49:48 UTC.
Launch Pad & Location
Launch Complex 39B
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
| Launches | 59 |
|---|---|
| Orbital Launch Attempts | 58 |
| Total Launches | 283 |
The John F. Kennedy Space Center, located on Merritt Island, Florida, is one of NASA's ten field centers. Since 1968, KSC has been NASA's primary launch center of American spaceflight, research, and technology. Launch operations for the Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs were carried out from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 and managed by KSC. Located on the east coast of Florida, KSC is adjacent to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS).
NASA Saturn IB Rocket
The Saturn IB (pronounced "one B", also known as the Uprated Saturn I) was an American launch vehicle commissioned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the Apollo program. It replaced the S-IV second stage of the Saturn I with the much more powerful S-IVB, able to launch a partially fueled Apollo Command/Service Module (CSM) or a fully fueled Lunar Module (LM) into low Earth orbit for early flight tests before the larger Saturn V needed for lunar flight was ready.
| Length | 43.2 m |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 6.6 m |
| Stages | 2 |
| Launch Mass | 590.0 T |
| Takeoff Thrust | 7,100.0 kN |
| LEO Capacity | 21,000 kg |
| Maiden Flight | 2/26/1966 |
Mission Spacecraft
Apollo CSM-116
Apollo CSM-116 (CSM-116) was the spacecraft used for this mission. It is a North American Aviation Capsule designed for Cargo and Human Transportation to Lunar Orbit and traveled to Skylab.
CSM-116 was an Apollo Command & Service Module used in the Skylab 2 mission. The Apollo Command/Service Module (CSM) was one of two principal components of the United States Apollo spacecraft, used for the Apollo program which landed astronauts on the Moon between 1969 and 1972. The CSM functioned as a mother ship which carried a crew of three astronauts and the second Apollo spacecraft, the Lunar Module, to lunar orbit, and brought the astronauts back to Earth. It consisted of two parts: the conical Command Module, a cabin that housed the crew and carried equipment needed for atmospheric reentry and splashdown; and the cylindrical Service Module which provided propulsion, electrical power and storage for various consumables required during a mission. An umbilical connection transferred power and consumables between the two modules. Just before reentry of the Command Module on the return home, the umbilical connection was severed and the Service Module was cast off and allowed to burn up in the atmosphere. 14 days
| Type | Capsule |
|---|---|
| Agency | North American Aviation |
| Serial Number | CSM-116 |
| Status | Single Use |
| Destination | Skylab |
| Maiden Flight | 2/26/1966 |
| Mission End | 6/22/1973 |
| Flights | 1 |
| Crew Capacity | 3 |
| Human Rated | Yes |
| Height | 11.0 m |
| Diameter | 3.9 m |
| Payload Capacity | 1,050 kg |
About NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. NASA have many launch facilities but most are inactive. The most commonly used pad will be LC-39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
| Total Launches | 142 |
|---|---|
| Successful | 122 |
| Failed | 20 |
| Pending | 5 |
| Consecutive Success | 12 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the NASA Saturn IB Skylab 2 launch scheduled?
The NASA Saturn IB Skylab 2 launch was scheduled for:
.
Where can I watch the NASA Saturn IB Skylab 2 launch video?
You can watch the NASA Saturn IB launch video on this page. The official video includes full mission coverage with multiple camera angles, onboard views, and expert commentary covering pre-launch procedures, liftoff, stage separation, and payload deployment.
Where did the NASA Saturn IB Skylab 2 mission launch from?
The NASA Saturn IB rocket launched from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA. The John F. Kennedy Space Center, located on Merritt Island, Florida, is one of NASA's ten field centers. Since 1968, KSC has been NASA's primary launch center of American spaceflight, research, and technology. Launch operations for the Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs were carried out from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 and managed by KSC. Located on the east coast of Florida, KSC is adjacent to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS).
What rocket was used for the Skylab 2 mission?
The Skylab 2 mission launched aboard a NASA Saturn IB rocket. The Saturn IB (pronounced "one B", also known as the Uprated Saturn I) was an American launch vehicle commissioned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the Apollo program. It replaced the S-IV second stage of the Saturn I with the much more powerful S-IVB, able to launch a partially fueled Apollo Command/Service Module (CSM) or a fully fueled Lunar Module (LM) into low Earth orbit for early flight tests before the larger Saturn V needed for lunar flight was ready. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
What weather conditions could have delayed the NASA Saturn IB Skylab 2 launch?
The NASA Saturn IB Skylab 2 launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the NASA Saturn IB Skylab 2 launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest NASA Saturn IB launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the Skylab 2 mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official NASA live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.
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