Skylab

This image illustrates the deployment of the Skylab parasol thermal shield. Skylab lost its thermal protection shield during its launch on May 14, 1973. The Skylab-2 crew deployed a parasol thermal shield to protect the workshop from overheating. The crew attached the canister containing the parasol to the scientific airlock and extended the folded shield through the opening and into space. Slowly, the struts extended, the sunshade took shape, and was in place over the workshop's outer surface. This illustration shows the parasol being fully deployed and retracted for service. Emergency procedures to repair and salvage the damaged Skylab were a joint effort of the Marshall Space Flight Center, other NASA centers, and contractors.