The Enduring Station: A History of Skylab, 1974-1985

[rockettime03]

Ok so, this is my first topic, and first attempt at doing an alternate history. I decided to say "what if NASA didn't have that lull in the 70s and instead resurrected Skylab and expanded upon it?"

Thanks to @track and @Aviation365 for inspiring me to do this (a lot of discussion of OGL and GATU happened in the r/KSP discord where i threw my ideas at the wall)

 

[rockettime03]

The Enduring Station, Part 1: Revival

(images are spoilered bc they are massive)              

Chapter 1, Post 1 of 2:

March 31, 1974
Skylab 5 is rolled out to LC-39A ahead of an April 7 launch date for a 20-day mission to reboost the Orbital Workshop and perform some science experiments.

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

This mission uses Saturn IB SA-209 and Apollo CSM-119 (which had previously been converted for the never-flown Skylab Rescue mission) and marks the only launch of a Saturn IB from 39A, as well as the last visit to Skylab by an Apollo CSM. Its crew consisted of three rookies, commander Vance D. Brand, pilot Don Lind and science pilot William B. “Bill” Lenoir.

 

April 7, 1974: Launch Day for Skylab 5

Ignition of the 8 H-1 engines on Saturn IB and liftoff

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

T+155 seconds: S-IB sep and S-IVB ignition

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

T+ 635 seconds: S-IVB cutoff and CSM separation

  Reveal hidden contents

 

1 day later...

 

April 8, 1974

Skylab 5 approaches the derelict OWS and prepares to dock.

 

  Reveal hidden contents

"Looks like the repairs have held up."
 

  Reveal hidden contents

"Yeah, but she's lost attitude control. Probably an electrical issue that can be fixed."

"Docking confirmed."

  Reveal hidden contents

A mere hour after docking, Brand goes on a solo EVA to attempt to repair the failed attitude control system.

  Reveal hidden contents

"Well, there's your problem. That connector shouldn't be loose."

  Reveal hidden contents

Addendum: Reboost and return are in Post 2 of 2.

[Vanamonde]

Good luck.

[rockettime03]

  On 5/25/2022 at 9:29 PM, Vanamonde said:

Good luck.

Expand  

Thanks

[rockettime03]

Update: This timeline has moved to the r/KSP discord server, where I will periodically update things in the #pics channel. This thread is now closed.