Crossing the Nullarbor - Australia
Travel guide and general information for the region between Norseman in WA to Ceduna in SA,
plus exclusive merchandise, clothing, DVD's, books & collectables.
Crossing the Nullarbor - Australia
PO Box 1786
Surfers Paradise, QLD 4217
ph: 0416147776
anthony
The Skylab Story 9 July, 2009 4:25PM AWST abc news online
Skylab was a US space station launched by NASA in 1973, and was manned by teams of astronauts as it orbited the earth. It collected vast amounts of data and images before being abandoned in space in 1974.
In 1979, NASA realised that Skylab was starting to break up and would re-enter the earth atmosphere, but they were unable to control Skylab's path, nor could they predict exactly where the pieces might land.
As NASA, and the world's media, tracked Skylab's progress in early July 1979, it seemed it could end up anywhere.
In the early hours of the 12th of July, 1979, Skylab crashed on WA's south east coast, scattering debris across the Nullarbor and the eastern goldfields and causing a worldwide sensation.
NASA officials arrived in Esperance to check out the wreckage. Every local that brought a piece of Skylab to the shire offices to be verified was given a plaque. But it was a US newspaper, the San Francisco Examiner, who turned the hunt for souvenirs into a frenzy when they offered $10,000 dollars to the first person to arrive at their office with an authentic piece of Skylab - the winner had just 72 hours to get to America. The prize was claimed by 17 year old Stan Thorton from Esperance.
These days, Skylab is a source of pride to the people of Esperance and the Nullarbor, who remember the lights, the sonic boom and the fuss that followed.
The skylab crash put Esperance on the map, but it didn't stop the shire council having a light hearted dig at NASA for scatter space junk over the town, sending them a $400 fine for littering, which they never paid.
Today, Skylab is celebrated by the locals with a large display of wreckage, photographs and Skylab models at the local museum.
You can hear the story of skylab, told through archival reports and locals, in the audio link see below...
http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/local/goldfields/200907/r396822_1858554.mp3
Movie on Skylab
Skylab was a space station launched and operated by NASA and was the United States' first space station. Skylab orbited the Earth from 1973 to 1979, and included a workshop, a solar observatory, and other systems. It was launched unmanned by a modified Saturn V rocket, with a weight of 169,950 pounds (77 t). The station was damaged during launch when the micrometeoroid shield separated from the workshop and tore away, taking one of two main solar panel arrays with it and jamming the other one so that it could not deploy. This deprived Skylab of most of its electrical power, and also removed protection from intense solar heating, threatening to make it unusable. The first crew was able to save it in the first in-space major repair, by deploying a replacement heat shade and freeing the jammed solar panels.
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Disclaimer: The information provided on this web site is for use as a guide only.
If you are planning to undertake this trip YOU MUST SEEK OUT other authorative advice and information.
Travelling across Australia is a very exciting adventure, you will see things and visit places that have their own unique attractions and risks.
For example when playing on the sand dunes at Fowlers Bay or at various other sand dune spots, understand the risks involved, how the dunes move over night, understand sand avalanches can occur...also check out the other side of the crest ridge before sandboarding so you dont end up in a situation you cannot get out of...
Understand where and how to seek assistance if you get into difficulty, understand assistance may be hours away.
When visiting Bunda Cliffs... DO NOT get to close too the top edge of the Cliff Face as the ledge might crumble and fall 200 feet down,
understand your limitations when visiting caves and the dangers posed and do not enter unless you have a permit or know what you are doing
for example the risks involved when climbing down and getting in/out of the Cave system
Outback travel can be a very exciting journey but it also can be very hazardous especially off road and in remote and isolated areas.
When going 'Off Road' and 'Remote' from the main National 1 Highway your trip should only be undertaken after
lengthy and careful planning, plus having plenty of water, fuel, food, working communication devices etc and people know where you are going.
Understand the distances between fuel stops by ringing ahead and checking with the roadhouses, cattle stations and visitor centres - that what you want is at the next stop.
NEVER ASSUME!
Understand the weather patterns and the various seasons Australia has...and take clothing that suits the climate and conditions at the time of your trip,
understand your vehicle and its capabilities and how to repair it plus have spare tyres (Min 2 extra)
The owners of this website shall not and will not be held responsible for any damage or injury that you may experience during any trip
You are responsible for your own actions.
Enjoy...
Crossing the Nullarbor - Australia
PO Box 1786
Surfers Paradise, QLD 4217
ph: 0416147776
anthony