skylab was the first space station of the united states. it was launched on may 14, 1973 on an extra saturn v moon rocket. it was launched without the third stage, lunar module, or command/service module because skylab was itself an extra third stage that was turned into a space station, which is called a wet workshop. the apollo spacecraft visited the station three times. if there was any problem, an apollo spacecraft with vance d. brand and don l. lind could rescue the crews.