This chart details Skylab's Vectorcardiogram experiment and facility, a medical study to measure the activity of the heart by recording electric signals (vectorcardiographic potentials) of each astronaut during preflight, inflight, and post-flight periods and obtain information on changes in heart functions induced by flight conditions. Vectorcardiograms were taken with a bicycle ergometer (part of Experiment M171) at regular intervals throughout the mission while the crewmen were at rest, and before, during, and after specific exercise periods. This instrument enabled an astronaut to exercise at selected levels of energy consumption. The Marshall Space Flight Center had program management responsibility for the development of Skylab hardware and experiments.

This Skylab-2 onboard photograph shows astronaut Charles "Pete" Conrad exercising on a stationary bicycle (ergometer) used for monitoring the metabolism of the astronauts. The ergometer was used to conduct both Vectorcardiogram experiment (M093) and Metabolic Activity experiment (M171). Experiment M093 was a medical evaluation designed to monitor changes in astronauts' cardiovascular systems, while Experiment M171 was to measure astronauts' metabolic changes during long-duration space missions.

The Orbital Workshop internal arrangement shown here is the medical experimental equipment. In this view, looking from the wardroom area, are the lower-body Negative Pressure (Experiment M092) unit, left, and the ergometer for the vectorcardiograph (Experiment - M093). Both are used in several ways to keep check on the astronauts' condition and tolerance in extended weightlessness. The 1-G trainer permits the astronauts to get experience with all of the equipment and operations except the absence of gravity.

The wardroom deck of the Orbital Workshop, showing the living quarters arrangement, is seen here in good detail. From left to right is the dining area, waste management, and sleeping quarters. Portable restraints are on the wall beside the sleeping quarters. The ergometer for the vectorcardiograph (Experiment - M093) and lower-body Negative Pressure (Experiment M092) unit, used in some of the medical experiments, are in the foreground. The round brown object in the center of the room is the trash disposal airlock.