{"product_id":"est1973","title":"Estes Saturn V Skylab  Skill Master","description":"\u003ch3\u003eA Bit of History:\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"relative flex w-[calc(100%-50px)] flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3 lg:w-[calc(100%-115px)]\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNASA launched 13 Saturn V rockets from 1967 to 1973, with two uncrewed tests and nine crewed missions to the moon or Earth's orbit. The last one had a unique purpose: to launch Skylab, the first American space station.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003ch3\u003eThe Skylab Mission:\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHowever, the creators of Apollo did not intend it to be a singular achievement. NASA planned to repurpose moon mission hardware for expanded space exploration through the Apollo Applications Program (AAP). AAP would have deployed Lunar Module cargo carriers and astronaut \"taxis,\" lunar surface habitats, and orbital space stations.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003cp\u003eNASA's funding was dwindling, and despite Armstrong's \"Giant Leap,\" the public and Congress lost interest in prioritizing space exploration. Consequently, NASA canceled Apollos 18, 19, and 20, despite investing in much of the hardware.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"relative flex w-[calc(100%-50px)] flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3 lg:w-[calc(100%-115px)]\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo salvage AAP and use current hardware, NASA offered the single Earth orbital space station, Skylab. Engineers built the space station from a altered S-IVB stage. Then on May 14, 1973, the Saturn V's powerful first and second stages lifted it into orbit.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003cp\u003eCompared to the Apollo Command Module, the inner space of the Skylab space laboratory was vast. It had the room for a crew of three to live and work in relative comfort.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThree crews inhabited Skylab for gradually longer missions, with the final stay lasting 84 days from November 1973 to February 1974.  NASA planned to keep Saturn V Skylab in orbit for future crews on a constant basis. However, unexpected orbital decay caused it to crash in 1979, scattering debris across Western Australia.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eThe Estes Saturn V Skylab:\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eThe Estes Saturn V Skylab is a 1:100 scale reproduction of the historic rocket and space station payload.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eThe model features vacuum formed tube wraps and fin fairings for a realistic texture on the surface.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eInjection molded fins are durable and detailed, and a fin alignment guide is included for precise placement.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eThe water-slide decals accurately represent the markings of the historic mission.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eThe rocket can reach up to 400 feet on an Estes F15-4 engine.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eThe rocket separates into two sections for recovery – the Saturn V first and second stages return together under dual 24-inch parachutes, while the Skylab upper section has its own 18-inch canopy.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eWith impressive E-engine launches and multi-segment, multi-parachute recoveries, the Estes Saturn V Skylab will stand out in any model rocket fleet!\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Estes","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47209508995356,"sku":"EST1973","price":82.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0735\/4626\/8956\/files\/1973SaturnVSkylabBoxRocket.png?v=1751300333","url":"https:\/\/theodore-hobbies.myshopify.com\/products\/est1973","provider":"Eastridge Hobbies","version":"1.0","type":"link"}