# Manned Orbiting Laboratory

> cancelled United States Air Force space station

**Wikidata**: [Q948200](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q948200)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manned_Orbiting_Laboratory)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/manned-orbiting-laboratory

## Summary
The Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) was a cancelled United States Air Force space station project. Originally conceived as a military project to advance reconnaissance capabilities, it was ultimately abandoned before becoming operational. The program is notable for its association with the KH-10 Dorian reconnaissance system and the selection of crew members such as Richard E. Lawyer, Francis G. Neubeck, and Lachlan Macleay.

## Key Facts
*   **Operator:** United States Air Force
*   **Nature of Project:** Military project / Space station
*   **Status:** Cancelled (Abandoned project)
*   **Primary Component:** KH-10 Dorian (cancelled reconnaissance system)
*   **Test Vehicle:** OPS 0855 (American boilerplate spacecraft)
*   **Associated Personnel:** Richard E. Lawyer, Francis G. Neubeck, Lachlan Macleay
*   **Country of Origin:** United States
*   **Also Known As:** MOL, Laboratorio de Orbitación Tripulado, Laboratorio Orbital Tripulado

## FAQs
### Q: What was the Manned Orbiting Laboratory?
A: The Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) was a space station project operated by the United States Air Force. It was designed as a military project but was ultimately cancelled.

### Q: Was the Manned Orbiting Laboratory ever launched?
A: No, the Manned Orbiting Laboratory is classified as an abandoned project. While a boilerplate spacecraft known as OPS 0855 was utilized, the operational station itself was never completed or launched as intended.

### Q: What equipment was associated with the Manned Orbiting Laboratory?
A: The station was designed to house the KH-10 Dorian, a cancelled reconnaissance system intended for use on the Manned Orbiting Laboratory.

## Why It Matters
The Manned Orbiting Laboratory represents a significant, albeit cancelled, chapter in the history of military space exploration. As a project initiated by the United States Air Force, it highlights the mid-20th-century interest in utilizing manned spaceflight for defense and reconnaissance purposes, distinct from civilian efforts like NASA's Skylab. The program's association with the KH-10 Dorian reconnaissance system underscores the strategic importance placed on space-based intelligence during this era.

Although the project was abandoned, the Manned Orbiting Laboratory served as a training ground for a distinct group of military astronauts. The cancellation of the MOL reflects the shifting priorities of the United States government regarding the cost and utility of manned military stations versus unmanned satellites. The technical data and personnel training associated with MOL contributed to the broader body of knowledge regarding space station operations and reconnaissance technology.

## Notable For
*   **Military Space Station:** It is a rare example of a space station explicitly designed and operated by the United States Air Force rather than a civilian agency.
*   **KH-10 Dorian Integration:** The project is distinguished by its planned utilization of the KH-10 Dorian system, a specialized reconnaissance platform.
*   **Cancelled Status:** It is a prominent example of a "cancelled" and "abandoned" project in the history of US space exploration.
*   **Specialized Crew:** The project involved specific military personnel, including Richard E. Lawyer, Francis G. Neubeck, and Lachlan Macleay, selected for this unique mission.

## Body
### Program Overview
The Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) was a spacecraft designed to remain in space for an extended period with a crew. Initiated by the United States, the project was managed by the United States Air Force. It is formally classified as an instance of a space station, a military project, and an abandoned project.

### Reconnaissance Capabilities
A central element of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory was the integration of the KH-10 Dorian system. This was a reconnaissance system specifically developed for the MOL. Like the main station, the KH-10 Dorian is listed as a cancelled system.

### Hardware and Testing
While the operational station was never realized, the project utilized specific hardware for testing. The OPS 0855 is identified as an American boilerplate Manned Orbital Laboratory spacecraft. This entity serves as a physical artifact of the program's development phase.

### Personnel
The project involved the selection and training of specific crew members intended to operate the laboratory. Notable personnel associated with the Manned Orbiting Laboratory include:
*   Richard E. Lawyer
*   Francis G. Neubeck
*   Lachlan Macleay

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013