Skylab (first U.S. space station)

Skylab was the United States’ first space station, launched by NASA in 1973. It was a large, orbiting laboratory designed for scientific research, featuring solar observatories, laboratories, and living quarters for astronauts. Skylab allowed scientists to study the effects of long-term space habitation and conduct experiments in areas like astronomy, biology, and materials science. It orbited Earth for nearly six years before re-entering the atmosphere and disintegrating in 1979. Skylab provided valuable insights and laid the groundwork for future space stations, demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of extended human activity in space.