Skylab IV

Skylab IV was the fourth and final crewed mission to the Skylab orbital workshop, launched on November 16, 1973, and lasting 84 days. The crew consisted of Commander Gerald P. Carr, Pilot William R. Pogue, and Science Pilot Edward G. Gibson. This mission was considerably longer than the previous Skylab missions, aiming to test the ability of humans to live and work in space for extended periods.

The primary objectives of Skylab IV included:

• Medical Experiments: Studying the long-term effects of weightlessness on the human body, including bone density loss, cardiovascular changes, and vestibular function.
• Solar Observations: Utilizing the Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM) to conduct extensive observations of the Sun across a wide range of wavelengths, contributing to understanding solar activity and its impact on Earth.
• Earth Resources Observations: Using multispectral photography and other instruments to gather data about Earth's resources, including agriculture, forestry, geology, and water resources.
• Engineering Demonstrations: Testing various engineering techniques and hardware in the space environment.

Skylab IV was notable for an early crew rebellion or "strike" where the crew slowed down their work schedule to adjust to the demands of the mission and address issues of fatigue and stress. This event led to improved communication and scheduling practices for future space missions. The mission concluded successfully on February 8, 1974, with the crew returning to Earth after setting a new duration record for human spaceflight at the time.