+ 1970 News Releases (7.6 Mb PDF file) - NASA

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483-5111 MSC 70-64
June 5, 1970
HOUSTON_ TEXAS--The National Aeronautics and Space Administration
has selected the Space Division of General Electric Co., and the Link
Division of Singer-General Precision_ Inc._ both of Houston_ for
competitive negotiations leading to a contract for development of a
crew training simulator to be used in training flight crews for the
Skylab (formerly Saturn Workshop).
Value of the cost-plus-award fee is estimated to exceed $3.5
million, and will include design_ fabrication_ installation, checkout_
simulation programs_ on-site systems engineering and supporting
documentation.
The Skylab simulator_ to be located at the Manned Spacecraft
Center, will simulate system characteristics of the Skylab orbital
workshop in both normal and malfunction modes.
It may be operated in conjunction with the Mission Control
Center and the existing Command Module Simulator for integrated
training of flight crews and flight controllers.
Skylab, scheduled to be launched in 1972, consists of a
modified Saturn V third stage (S-IVB) outfitted on the ground
as living quarters for three astronauts and includes a solar
observatory called the Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM)_ an air-lock
module, and a multiple docking adapter. The first flight crew
will occupy and work in the Skylab for up to 28 days, with two
subsequent crews remaining for up to 56 days.
In addition to the solar astronomy experiments with the ATM_
the Skylab will provide facilities to develop data on man's capabilities
to operate for extended periods in Earth orbit, to make
meteorological and Earth resources observations and to carry out
medical_ scientific and technical experiments.
The contract will be administered by the Manned Spacecraft
Center, Houston_ under the direction of NASA's Office of Manned Space
Flight,
Washington.