Skylab was the first space station launched into orbit around the Earth. It was designed to prove that man could spend long periods of time in space, and to make observations of the solar system which were not possible from the Earth. It was first launched on 14 May 1973, but during the launch it sustained severe damage. Helped by ground control, the crew managed to repair this damage during a spacewalk, and the mission continued. In total, there were three Skylab missions between 1973 and 1975, during which time many scientific studies were and solar observations. The missions proved that man could function effectively in space for periods of up to 84 days. In 1975 Skylab was abandoned and left to orbit the orbit the Earth. It was expected to remain in orbit for ten years, but atmospheric changes pulled it back to Earth. It crash-landed in Australia in 1979, spreading its debris over a large area.