Posts: 353
From: Chattanooga, TN
Registered: Dec 2007

posted 11-25-2008 10:17 AM            

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quote:

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Originally posted by SpaceAholic:
Casper will be relocated to the Davidson Center as well

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That's what I had assumed. There is plenty of room at the CSM end of the Saturn V for both Casper and the Orion mockup. Any idea when the move might happen?

If they can fit the LM trainer and/or the LM high-fidelity mockup in there as well, then the main floor of the museum will have space for both Skylab and Mir.

Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999

Posts: 28
From: Waldorf, MD
Registered: Oct 2008

Posts: 45
From: Cookeville, TN, USA
Registered: Jul 2009

Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 12-02-2010 09:59 AM               

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The U.S. Space & Rocket Center's 2010-2011 Donor Opportunities includes the Skylab trainer restoration. According to a mailing that just went out potential donors, the total cost of project is $1.4 million.

Raised to date: $35,000

Donations are being accepted at any dollar amount (base donation $10).

Posts: 31
From:
Registered: Apr 2008

posted 12-02-2010 11:54 AM            

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As additional artifacts were exhibited and moved into the main museum, it became necessary to move the Skylab trainer.

That thing was in fine condition before they decided to drape a tarp over it in the parking lot.

The trainer needs to be restored and preserved for display.

No kidding.

You can't sugarcoat this. That's a heck of a lot of money that could have been better spent elsewhere instead of fixing USSRC's incompetence.

Posts: 111
From: Cullman, AL
Registered: Dec 2007

posted 12-09-2012 07:54 AM               

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It appears that more restoration work is being done on the trainer. The two main body sections were recently moved into the bus barn area. The exterior has been stripped of paint and repainted.

Also, Dr. Barnhart stated this summer at the Space Exploration Celebration that it will be on display next year for the Skylab 40th anniversary.

Posts: 2476
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006

Posts: 640
From: Syracuse, New York, USA
Registered: Oct 2009

posted 12-09-2012 02:54 PM               

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That is great to hear. I was just up there at the beginning of November and it was just sitting as it had been for years. I was saddened by the current state of the rockets in the garden as they are fading and look so abandon.

How are the attendance numbers at the Space & Rocket Center today compared to a decade or two ago? Are young adults still interested or just a handful?

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 12-09-2012 04:08 PM               

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According to last month's Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission board meeting, Space Camp attendance is up 6 percent from last year (a 19% increase over two years) and family camps are up 44%.

In the museum, the lobby and gift shop sales are up 14%.

With regards to Skylab, yes, a professional and full restoration is in works, with more details to be announced in January. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center will also host a Skylab crews reunion on Jan. 31, 2013 (more details coming soon).

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

Posts: 1642
From: Olympia, WA
Registered: Sep 2011

posted 01-24-2013 11:22 PM               

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Forgive my ignorance on this, but was the same Skylab trainer that was sitting behind the space shot ride, on it's side on the berm in the back as late as this past fall? Or is this another Skylab trainer?

I was told when I was there in September that the Skylab equipment I was looking at in the back of the display area was the pool EVA trainer for exterior work. Was this true or is this the same thing being talked about here?

Posts: 2476
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 01-25-2013 04:42 AM               

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This is not the Skylab trainer that is located in the museum as part of the outside displays that is set up. This is the display that has sat outside the Davidson building in the rocky part of the parking lot that has been covered up with white shrink wrap. (or at least has had the wrap applied, deteriorate and applied again).

It used to be inside of what was the main exhibit hall as a full size walk through exhibit like the one in the Smithsonian is Washington DC.

It is wonderful to see it getting the rework and display that it deserves. The last time, and only time, I ever had a chance to walk through it was December of 1994. I am looking forward to walking through it again.

Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007

posted 01-25-2013 05:40 AM               

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As Fred said nice to see this getting some attention. It will be beautiful when complete. Any idea on the date for that?

I saw the reunion will be a black tie affair. Not my cup of tea but a lot of fun for those going.

Posts: 1217
From: Huntsville, AL, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 03-25-2013 09:44 AM               

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Some pics from the Gala. Sorry for the delay:

As you enter the USSRC main entrance, there is now a room set up where Skylab artifact restoration is taking place and visitors can watch as it progresses.

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Homesteading Space | davidhitt.net

Posts: 1217
From: Huntsville, AL, USA
Registered: Jun 2003