NASA’s Skylab 4 (SL-4 / SLM-3): Objectives, Timeline & Spacecraft for UPSC

With more and more missions planned for the Moon, Mars, and even asteroids, NASA continues to lead the way in exploring deep space. Its work influences how countries around the world think about space, how we discuss environmental issues, and it inspires people to study and learn more – making NASA a fascinating topic from many different angles.

In this article, we will discuss about Skylab 4 (SL-4 / SLM-3) for UPSC CSE Examination which was launched to reach Skylab Orbital Workshop (Earth orbit), offering new insights into its environment, structure, and scientific relevance.

• The successful launch of Skylab 4 (SL-4 / SLM-3) on November 16, 1973 set the stage for important scientific advancements.  
• The overarching objective driving this initiative is to Third and final crew to Skylab; extensive scientific program; achieving this will mark a significant milestone in space exploration and technological capability.  
• This Crewed mission to space station served as a key test for new technologies and different ways of operating.  
• The powerful Saturn IB (SA-208) stood poised on the launchpad, a testament to human ambition and engineering. 
• The rocket lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, LC-39B, Florida, beginning its journey into space. 
• 84 days, 1 hour, 15 minutes was the length of the mission from launch to completion. 
• This mission was managed by NASA. 
• Mission result: Completed (Successful). 
• The mission had an estimated cost of Part of Skylab program cost, aiming to expand humanity’s reach into deep space. 

With Apollo CSM, Comet Kohoutek observations, extensive experiments, Skylab 4 (SL-4 / SLM-3) demonstrates the next generation of smart payloads for exploratory missions.

Record long-duration spaceflight, extensive EVA, scientific data gathering enabled Skylab 4 (SL-4 / SLM-3) to perform complex tasks without constant communication with mission control. This comprehensive article on NASA Skylab 4 (SL-4 / SLM-3) Space mission helps UPSC aspirants understand the full life cycle of a modern space mission which is relevant for GS Paper 2, GS Paper 3, GS Paper 4, and Essay.

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NASA Skylab 4 (SL-4 / SLM-3) Space Mission Overview 

Skylab 4 (SL-4 / SLM-3) – Space Mission Profile for UPSC
Target Celestial Body	Skylab Orbital Workshop (Earth orbit)
Launch Date	November 16, 1973
Objective	Third and final crew to Skylab; extensive scientific program
Mission Type	Crewed mission to space station
Launch Vehicle	Saturn IB (SA-208)
Launch Site	Kennedy Space Center, LC-39B, Florida
Mission Duration	84 days, 1 hour, 15 minutes
Agencies Involved	NASA
Mission Status	Completed (Successful)
Estimated Cost	Part of Skylab program cost
Proposal Date	Skylab program formal approval 1970
New Instruments/Payloads	Apollo CSM, Comet Kohoutek observations, extensive experiments
Key Technologies Used	Record long-duration spaceflight, extensive EVA, scientific data gathering

Also, Checkout Sunita Williams’ Missions to the International Space Station

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Skylab 4 (SL-4 / SLM-3) Space Mission Global Contributions

• NASA relied on North American Rockwell (CSM), McDonnell Douglas (Skylab) to supply major components for the spacecraft and launch systems, enhancing mission efficiency. 
• Scientific data shared ensured open access to mission findings, promoting collaborative research among international and commercial partners. 
• Skylab 4 (SL-4 / SLM-3) demonstrated a strong policy impact by Longest US spaceflight for over 20 years; vast scientific return, fostering new partnerships and shaping future governance frameworks. 

Global Collaboration & Strategic Impact
International Partners	N/A
Payload Contributions	N/A
Commercial Involvement	North American Rockwell (CSM), McDonnell Douglas (Skylab)
Data Sharing Agreements	Scientific data shared
Impact on Global Space Policy	Longest US spaceflight for over 20 years; vast scientific return

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Challenges & Risk in Skylab 4 (SL-4 / SLM-3) Space Mission

Although Skylab 4 (SL-4 / SLM-3) was impacted by technical challenges such as Heavy workload leading to crew schedule adjustment discussions, the team’s proactive risk management and decision-making allowed the mission to deliver valuable outcomes.

• Despite hurdles such as Successful completion of longest crewed mission to date, Skylab 4 (SL-4 / SLM-3) proceeded as planned with only minor adjustments. 

Operational Risks, Environmental Impact & Challenges
Risk & Mitigation Log	Successful completion of longest crewed mission to date
Environmental & Sustainability Footprint	N/A
Challenges Faced	Heavy workload leading to crew schedule adjustment discussions

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Mission Timeline of Skylab 4 (SL-4 / SLM-3) NASA Space Mission

• The proposal for this mission was recorded on Skylab program formal approval 1970. 
• The final spacecraft assembly wrapped up on Not applicable (CSM), paving the way for pre-launch assessments and validation. 
• On November 16, 1973 (Docking with Skylab), mission control confirmed the spacecraft’s successful encounter with its target, with all systems performing as expected. 
• With the end of the primary mission on February 8, 1974 (Splashdown Pacific Ocean), scientists began analyzing the extensive data gathered during the mission. 

Mission Timeline & Key Milestones
Proposal Date	Skylab program formal approval 1970
Critical Design Review (CDR) Date	N/A
Assembly Complete Date	Not applicable (CSM)
Launch Date	November 16, 1973
Landing / Flyby Date	November 16, 1973 (Docking with Skylab)
End of Primary Mission Date	February 8, 1974 (Splashdown Pacific Ocean)

Get to Know the detailed UPSC Syllabus for IAS Prelims & Mains Exam!

UPSC Relevance of Skylab 4 (SL-4 / SLM-3)

• Understanding NASA’s space missions is crucial for UPSC aspirants, as these topics often feature under current science and tech developments.
• In GS Paper 3, NASA missions serve as examples to explain concepts such as innovation, sustainability, and the ethical use of advanced technologies.
• In the UPSC CSE General Studies Paper 4 (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude), NASA’s practice of making satellite and mission data publicly accessible can be used to illustrate institutional commitment to transparency.
• NASA’s advancements in Earth observation, international collaboration, and planetary exploration serve as rich case studies in Geography, PSIR, and Public Administration optional papers, particularly when discussing global commons and policy frameworks.

Also, Learn about International Space Station (ISS)

Past UPCS Mains PYQs on NASA Space Missions

Q1. Launched on 25th December 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope has been much in the news since then. What are its unique features which make it superior to its predecessor space telescopes? What are the key goals of this mission? What potential benefits does it hold for the human race? (2022, GS Paper 3) 

Q2. How does the Juno Mission of NASA help to understand the origin and evolution of the Earth? (2017, GS Paper 1)

Q3. The safe landing of the ‘Curiosity’ Rover under NASA’s space programme has sparked many possibilities. What are those and how could humankind benefit from them? (2012, GS Paper 2)

Past UPCS Prelims PYQs on NASA Space Missions

Q1 [2022]: Which one of the following statements best reflects the idea behind the “Fractional Orbital Bombardment System” often talked about in the media?

(a) A hypersonic missile is launched into space to counter the asteroid approaching the Earth and explode it in space.

(b) A spacecraft lands on another planet after making several orbital motions.

(c) A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.

(d) A spacecraft moves along a comet with the same speed and places a probe on its surface.

Answer: (c) A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.

Explanation: While this question pertains to a military concept, NASAs research into orbital mechanics and space trajectories contributes to the broader understanding of such technologies.

Q2 [2020]: “The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft.” The experiment in question refers to:

(a) Voyager-2

(b) New Horizons

(c) Lisa Pathfinder

(d) Evolved LISA

Answer: (d) Evolved LISA

Explanation: Evolved LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) is a space-based gravitational wave observatory developed by ESA with contributions from NASA.

Q3 [2017]: What is the purpose of ‘evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA)’ project?

(a) To detect neutrinos

(b) To detect gravitational waves

(c) To detect the effectiveness of missile defence system

(d) To study the effect of solar flares on our communication systems

Answer: (b) To detect gravitational waves

Explanation: Evolved Laser Space Interferometer Space Antenna (ELISA) project was widely in the news due to the discovery of gravitational waves by the LIGO detector and the subsequent success of the LISA pathfinder project. The European Space Agency is leading the ELISA mission. The project is initiated to detect and accurately measure gravitational waves.

Q4 [2016]: What is ‘Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10)’, recently in the news?

(a) Electric plane tested by NASA

(b) Solar-powered two-seater aircraft designed by Japan

(c) Space observatory launched by China

(d) Reusable rocket designed by ISRO

Answer: (a) Electric plane tested by NASA
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Explanation: GL-10 is a remotely piloted plane similar to an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). It is designed and developed in such a way that it can take off like a helicopter and fly like an airplane. It is a battery-powered 10-engine with a wingspan of 3.05 meters. Eight electric motors are mounted on the wings. 2 electric motors are mounted on the tail. It weighs a maximum of 28.1 kilograms at takeoff. Due to its versatile vertical takeoff and landing ability, it produces less noise. It can be used as a UAV for small package delivery or vertical takeoff and landing, as well as long-endurance surveillance for agriculture, mapping, and other applications. Its modified scaled-up version can be used as a persons air vehicle.

Q5 [2015]: The term ‘Goldilocks Zone’ is often seen in the news in the context of:

(a) The limits of habitable zone above the surface of the Earth

(b) Regions inside the Earth where shale gas is available

(c) Search for the Earth-like planets in outer space

(d) Search for meteorites containing precious metals

Answer: (c) Search for the Earth-like planets in outer space

Explanation: The Goldilocks Zone is the livable zone around a star where the temperature is not too hot and not too cold for liquid water to exist on a planet. It is a metaphor for the childrens story Goldilocks and the Three Bears, in which a young girl selects from sets of three objects, eschewing the extremes (such as those that are enormous or small, hot or cold) and fixing on the one that is just right in the middle. The Goldilocks zone of the Sun surrounds the Earth. All of Earths water would freeze if it were found where the dwarf planet Pluto is; however, all of Earths water would boil out if it were found where Mercury is.

Also, Get to Know What was NASA's Parker Solar Probe Mission

UPSC Practice Questions on NASA Space Missions

Q1. Which of the following missions are related to exploring the various facets of the Moon?
1. Artemis-I
2. Chang'e 4 project
3. VIPER Mission
4. Hope Mission
5. Crew 2 Mission
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
1. 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
2. 2, 4 and 5 only
3. 1, 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

Answer: 3
Solution: The correct answer is 1, 2, and 3 only. The Artemis-I mission is NASA's first non-crew mission to the Moon, Chang'e 4 is a Chinese lunar mission, and VIPER is a NASA mission aimed at exploring the Moon's South Pole region.

Q2. Where will NASA send its next-generation atomic clock in 2019?
1. Mars
2. Moon
3. North Pole
4. Space

Answer: 4
Solution: The correct answer is Space. NASA's Deep Space Atomic Clock has been pushing the timekeeping frontiers in space for more than two years.

Q3. _______ has successfully launched the pulsar navigation satellite XPNAV-1.
1. India
2. China
3. USA
4. Japan

Answer: 2
Solution: The correct answer is China. China successfully launched the pulsar navigation satellite XPNAV-1 in 2016.

Q4. Consider the following statements about Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE)
1. The GRACE mission is jointly launched by NASA and ISRO.
2. The objective of this mission is to monitor and study Earth's gravity field and its changes over time.
3. The GRACE mission is used for monitoring the Earth's resources, it can detect changes in the amount of water stored in the form of groundwater, surface water, and ice.
Choose the correct statement/s from the option given below:
1. 1 and 2 are Correct.
2. 2 and 3 are Correct.
3. 1 and 3 are Correct.
4. All of the above

Answer: 2
Solution: The correct answer is 2 and 3 are Correct. Statement 1 is incorrect as GRACE is a joint mission of NASA and the German Aerospace Center.

Q5. Match List-I with List-II :
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
1. a - 2, b - 1, c - 4, d - 3
2. a - 3, b - 1, c - 4, d - 2
3. a - 2, b - 3, c - 4, d - 1
4. a - 3, b - 1, c - 2, d - 4

Answer: 1
Solution: The correct answer is Option 1.

Q6. Which space organization has successfully conducted the cheapest Mars mission?
1. ISRO
2. NASA
3. Roscosmos
4. JAXA

Answer: 1
Solution: The correct answer is ISRO. ISRO was the world's first space agency to find water on the moon and insert a probe into orbit of Mars in its maiden attempt at the cheapest cost.

Q7. Consider the following statements regarding lunar landings:
1. No private company has successfully landed its spacecraft on the moon.
2. Only five national space agencies have accomplished a soft lunar landing.
3. The moon's atmosphere provides minimal resistance, making parachutes an effective landing mechanism.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 2 and 3 only

Answer: 2
Solution: The correct answer is option 2. Statement 1 is incorrect as private companies have successfully landed on the moon. Statement 2 is correct as only five national space agencies have achieved successful soft lunar landings. Statement 3 is incorrect as the moon has no atmosphere, making parachutes ineffective for landing.

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