Prev heroicrelics.org
Museum of Aviation Site Index
Skylab A7LB Suit Gallery
Next

dsc64057.jpg

The sign accompanying the Skylab A7LB spacesuit. It reads


Skylab Spacesuit

Nine Skylab crewmen manned the nation's first space station for a total of 171 days during 1973 and 1974. They wore simplified versions of the Apollo spacesuit while doing the historic repair of the Skylab and changing film canisters in the solar observatory cameras. Jammed solar panels and the loss of a micrometeoroid shield during the launch of the Skylab orbital workshop necessitated several spacewalks for freeing the solar panels and for erecting a substitute shield.

The spacesuit changes from Apollo to Skylab included a less-expensive-to-manufacture and lightweight thermal micrometeoroid overgarment, elimination of the lunar boots, and simplified and less expensive extravehicular visor assembly over the helmet. The liquid-cooling garment was retained from Apollo, but umbilicals and astronaut life support assembly (ALSA) replaced backpacks for life support during spacewalks.

The spacesuit on display was used by astronauts training for the third Skylab mission.


 
dsc64057.jpg
Time picture taken Sun Jun 21 11:19:26 2009
Location picture taken Century of Flight (Hangar 2)
Museum of Aviation
Warner Robins, Georgia
Prev Skylab A7LB Suit Gallery Next