Living and Working in Space: A History of Skylab.

The history of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Skylab program is provided in this three-part book. Part I (chapters 1 to 5) traces the origins of the Skylab concept from its emergence in the period 1962-65 through its evolution into final form in 1969. Part II (chapters 6 to 13) focuses on the period from 1969-73, considering the development of the spacecraft modules, the experiments they carried, and the preparations to launch and operate them. Chapter 6 focuses on the program leaders, the problems they faced, and the tools they used to manage Skylab. Chapters 7 through 11 deal with the major experimental programs and the spacecraft components. Houston's preparations for directing the missions and the launching of Skylab are treated in chapters 12 and 13 respectively. Part III (chapters 14 to 19) deals with the Skylab launch accident (the meteoroid shield ripped away, leaving the workshop exposed to solar heat and disabling its solar panels), Skylab missions, program results (including medical and solar/earth observation findings), and the end of Skylab. A summary of missions, list of major contractors, list of experiments, and additional documentation are included in appendices. (JN)