Skylab 4

Skylab 4 was the fourth and final mission of the Skylab program, which was the first American space station. Skylab 4 launched on November 16, 1973, and was made up of three astronauts - Gerald P. Carr, William R. Pogue, and Edward G. Gibson. The three astronauts lived and worked in the Skylab space station for 84 days (more than 11 weeks!). During the mission, they conducted experiments in the areas of medical, scientific and engineering. They also took many photographs of Earth and the Moon, and did hundreds of experiments in human biology and chemistry. They even grew plants and flowers in the space station and were able to do repairs and build a second Sun shade to cool the space station! Skylab 4 was a great success and helped to advance the knowledge and experience of living in space.