Most important fact

It was United States first manned orbital space station.

Mass

74,783 kilograms

Launched

May 14, 1973

Objectives Achieved

Information was gathered about the sun, Earth's resources and human adaptation to zero gravity. The Skylab program was successful in both of its primary goals: to prove people could live and work in space for a long span of time and to learn more about astronomy.

Dimensions

Approximately 84 feet long and a maximum of 22 feet wide

Launched Vehicle

Saturn V rocket

Problems Faced

An important meteoroid shield tore off the station due to launch vibrations, and it took a solar panel with it. The loss of the shield caused a rise in temperature to 52 degree Celsius (126 degrees Fahrenheit) in the station.

Interesting Facts

During the period of habitation more than 300 experiments were performed during a total of 171 days and 13 hours.