sl2_v_bw_o_n (73-H-912)
“Skylab III Pacific Recovery Area -- U.S.S. New Orleans -- Scuba diver prepares to right spacecraft in the eight foot seas during recovery. A two-stage Saturn IB rocket carrying the Skylab 3 astronauts Alan L. Bean, Commander, Dr. Owen K. Garriott, Science Pilot, and Jack R. Lousma, Pilot, were launched to the orbiting Skylab at 7:11 a.m. E.D.T., July 28, 1973 at 6:20 p.m. E.D.T. about 362 kilometers (225 statue miles) southwest of San Diego, CA. The second Skylab mission of 59 days was man’s longest mission to date.”
So, the CM was initially in ‘Stable II’ (apex down) position upon splashdown. However - despite what the caption says - the UDT guys surely weren’t at it as it was flipping over to ‘Stable I’, were they??? If so, damn! I Then again, they’re “precursor SEALs”, so maybe?
Unfortunately, the quality of the video I’ve come across of the recovery operation is so shitty, it’s difficult to make out anything other than the capsule and helicopters. Take a look:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9Ns-9HbA20&t=934s
Credit: yg1968/YouTube
sl2_v_bw_o_n (73-H-912)
“Skylab III Pacific Recovery Area -- U.S.S. New Orleans -- Scuba diver prepares to right spacecraft in the eight foot seas during recovery. A two-stage Saturn IB rocket carrying the Skylab 3 astronauts Alan L. Bean, Commander, Dr. Owen K. Garriott, Science Pilot, and Jack R. Lousma, Pilot, were launched to the orbiting Skylab at 7:11 a.m. E.D.T., July 28, 1973 at 6:20 p.m. E.D.T. about 362 kilometers (225 statue miles) southwest of San Diego, CA. The second Skylab mission of 59 days was man’s longest mission to date.”
So, the CM was initially in ‘Stable II’ (apex down) position upon splashdown. However - despite what the caption says - the UDT guys surely weren’t at it as it was flipping over to ‘Stable I’, were they??? If so, damn! I Then again, they’re “precursor SEALs”, so maybe?
Unfortunately, the quality of the video I’ve come across of the recovery operation is so shitty, it’s difficult to make out anything other than the capsule and helicopters. Take a look:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9Ns-9HbA20&t=934s
Credit: yg1968/YouTube