In 1973, astronaut Owen Garriott transformed the Skylab 3 mission into a science laboratory… and also a stage for humor. Between experiments on microgravity and observations of the Earth, he decided to play an epochal prank on NASA, using a tape recorder and the recorded voice of his wife Helen. The goal? Make Mission Control in Houston believe that a woman had clandestinely boarded the space station.
During radio communications, the Houston team heard a female voice intervene on the channel: “Good morning Houston, this is Skylab“. (Silence) “… Who’s talking?“. “I’m Helen, Owen’s wife. I came to bring the kids a hot meal”.
The panic lasted a few seconds, followed by an explosion of laughter when the truth was realized. The prank was perfectly orchestrated: Helen had recorded realistic dialogues interspersed with silence, while two accomplices on the ground, Robert Crippen and Karl Henize, completed the illusion.
Skylab 3: great experiments and technological innovations
The mission, which lasted over two months, had ambitious objectives: studying the effects of microgravity, observing the Earth and analyzing the webs produced in weightlessness. Garriott, along with Alan Bean and Jack Lousma, had to deal with technical problems such as thruster leaks and space sickness, even risking a rescue operation. However, thanks to ingenious solutions, the team completed all planned activities and surpassed the record of 28 days spent in orbit set by Skylab 2.
Beyond pranks, the team conducted advanced scientific observations with the Earth Resources Experiment Package and the Apollo Telescope Mount, monitoring the astronauts’ cardiovascular and neurovestibular systems.
The use of the Astronaut Maneuvering Unit (AMU), similar to a powered backpack, allowed free movement to be tested outside the station, anticipating Space Shuttle technologies. The crew also monitored small animals such as fish, midges and spiders, studying their behavior in zero gravity.
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