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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Saturn IB | Skylab 3

SUCCESSJul 28, 1973 at 11:10 UTCSaturn IB →
PADLaunch Complex 39B
SITEKennedy Space Center, FL, USA →
ORBITLow Earth Orbit
TYPEHuman Exploration
PROGRAMSkylab

Skylab 3 (also known as SL-3 or SLM-2) was the second crewed mission to the first US orbital space station Skylab. The mission began on July 28, 1973, 11:10:50 UTC with the launch of a three-person crew. Crew members were the Commander Alan L. Bean, Science Pilot Owen K. Garriott and Pilot Jack R. Lousma. During their 59-day stay on the station, crew continued station repairs and conducted various scientific and medical experiments. The mission ended successfully with the splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on September 25, 1973, 22:19:51 UTC.

VEHICLE
Saturn IB
MISSION
Skylab 3
MISSION TYPE
Human Exploration
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
PROGRAM
Skylab
COUNTRY
USA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 757d0fba-575b-43cb-b6de-b143758f66ec
Reported date: Jul 28, 1973 at 11:10 UTC
Last synced: 11 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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CSM-117SERIAL
1FLIGHTS
SkylabDESTINATION
Single UseSTATUS

CSM-117 was an Apollo Command & Service Module used in the Skylab 3 mission.

CREW MANIFEST
Alan BeanCommander
Jack R. LousmaPilot
Owen K. GarriottScience Pilot
MANUFACTURER
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
VARIANT
IB
FLIGHTS
10
SUCCESSES
9
SUCCESS RATE
90%

The Saturn IB (pronounced "one B", also known as the Uprated Saturn I) was an American launch vehicle commissioned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the Apollo program. It replaced the S-IV second stage of the Saturn I with the much more powerful S-IVB, able to launch a partially fueled Apollo Command/Service Module (CSM) or a fully fueled Lunar Module (LM) into low Earth orbit for early flight tests before the larger Saturn V needed for lunar flight was ready.

When is the Saturn IB | Skylab 3 launch?
The Saturn IB | Skylab 3 is scheduled for Saturday, July 28, 1973 at 11:10 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Skylab 3?
The Saturn IB | Skylab 3 mission uses the Saturn IB rocket, manufactured by National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Saturn IB has flown 10 times with a 90% success rate.
Where is the Saturn IB | Skylab 3 launching from?
The launch takes place from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA.
What orbit is Skylab 3 going to?
The Skylab 3 mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching Skylab 3?
The Saturn IB | Skylab 3 is operated by National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It is part of the Skylab program.
Can I watch the Saturn IB | Skylab 3 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
Mar 28, 2026 21:45 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 21:45 UTC
Launch date set: Jul 28, 1973 at 11:10 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mar 28, 2026 21:45 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Mar 18, 2025 14:15 UTC
Observing Storms from Skylab
Skylab 3 astronauts witnessed many spectacular sights during their 858 orbital trips around the Earth in the summer of 1973. One involved watching powerful Hurricane…
NASA
Last data sync: 11 minutes ago
Launch Library 211 minutes ago
Launch ID: 757d0fba-575b-43cb-b6de-b143758f66ec
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1 article matched
Open-Meteo Weather11 minutes ago
Pad weather at 28.63, -80.62
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