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$150 MINIMUM ORDER, FREE SHIPPING OVER $750
In 1973, the last Saturn V was launched with a special payload – Skylab, America’s first space station. Now you can build and fly your own 1/100 scale replica of that historic mission. Exciting launches up to 350 feet on an Estes F15-4 engine, and spectacular three-parachute recoveries.
NASA 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.
However, 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.
NASA'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.
To 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.
Compared 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.
Three 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.
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A decent kit...however, the warped card centering rings were more than a little frustrating to deal with. The main body tube feels like it needs to be thicker as well. I know that saving weight was likely a concern with this model, but a thicker main tube and 3mm plywood centering rings would go a long way to make this a more pleasant building experience.
My husbands favorite hobby, he shares it with our grandsons!
I built this rocket in my early teens. I have gotten the bug for second childhood and this will be my first build. For those who think it’s too expensive I bought it when it sold for 29.95 in 1972. Today’s cost with inflation that would mean it should cost over 215.00. It was worth every penny of my lawn mower job earnings at 13 years old and still so today