Friday, July 28, 2023

The Explorers' Club, № CMLXVII

Operation AXIOM: The Space Race—The 50th Anniversary of Skylab 3, Part I
28 July 1973: Skylab 3 lifted off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center, with CDR Al Bean, Science Pilot Owen Garriott, & Pilot Jack Lousma aboard an unnamed Apollo C.S.M. atop a Saturn IB rocket; on approach to Skylab, one of the C.S.M.'s four reaction control system quad thrusters failed, but the C.S.M. was still able to dock; the trio were afflicted by space sickness, even Apollo 12 veteran Bean.
Bonus! Space Race Song o' the Day: Skylab 3
The Dave Brubeck Quartet, "Three to Get Ready" from Time Out: 50th Anniversary Legacy Edition (Space Cadet Mike Papa DSKY)
Commentary: Your eyes do not deceive you, dear reader, the Skylab 3 mission patch is emblazoned with the crew's names & "Skylab II." Miscommunication within N.A.S.A. meant that the three manned missions were officially designated Skylab 2, Skylab 3, & Skylab 4, while the crew patches read "Skylab I," "Skylab II," & "Skylab 3."

Semper exploro.

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