Apollo 13: the story on HearLore

Crew Selection And Training

Jim Lovell served as the mission commander at age forty-two when he flew into space. He held the record for most time spent in orbit among NASA astronauts prior to this flight. Jack Swigert replaced Ken Mattingly just two days before launch after Mattingly contracted rubella from his son's friend. Swigert was originally the command module pilot for the backup crew but became essential due to the illness of the prime crew member. Fred Haise joined them as the lunar module pilot at thirty-six years old. The three men underwent over one thousand hours of mission-specific training before their scheduled ten-day flight. They practiced deploying equipment and walking through procedures in simulated microgravity environments. Geology training involved field trips led by Caltech professor Lee Silver who mentored Lovell and Haise. Harrison Schmitt arranged for the astronauts to meet Silver to ensure they had an inspirational teacher for lunar science. The crew also trained using the Vomit Comet aircraft to simulate weightlessness while donning spacesuits. Mission planners decided that beginning with Apollo 13, the Command Module would bring the Lunar Module to low orbit instead of the Lunar Module making the burn itself. This change increased hover time available during rough terrain landings. The astronauts flew the Lunar Landing Training Vehicle despite crashes of similar vehicles earlier in the program.

What was the primary goal of Apollo 13?

The primary goal of Apollo 13 was to explore the Fra Mauro formation. Mission planners intended to conduct precision geology and date material spattered by an ancient impact that filled the Imbrium basin.

Who replaced Ken Mattingly on Apollo 13 before launch?

Jack Swigert replaced Ken Mattingly just two days before launch after Mattingly contracted rubella from his son's friend. Swigert was originally the command module pilot for the backup crew but became essential due to the illness of the prime crew member.

When did the explosion occur during the Apollo 13 mission?

The accident happened at 55:54:53 on April 14 which was ten o'clock PM EST on April 13. A stirring fan inside Oxygen Tank Number Two malfunctioned leading to a loud bang and subsequent venting of oxygen into space.

What caused the failure in Oxygen Tank Number Two according to the final report?

The final report submitted on June 15 identified damaged Teflon insulation on wires inside Oxygen Tank Number Two as the root cause. A short circuit ignited this insulation causing a fire that increased pressure until the tank dome failed.

How many people watched the splashdown of Apollo 13 live on television?

An estimated forty million Americans watched the splashdown live on all three networks with another thirty million viewing portions of the broadcast. Worldwide interest reawakened by the incident included millions watching television coverage globally.

Apollo 13.

Crew Selection And Training

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Common questions

What was the primary goal of Apollo 13?

Who replaced Ken Mattingly on Apollo 13 before launch?

When did the explosion occur during the Apollo 13 mission?

What caused the failure in Oxygen Tank Number Two according to the final report?

How many people watched the splashdown of Apollo 13 live on television?

The Oxygen Tank Explosion

Improvisation And Survival Tactics

Investigation And Technical Findings

Public Reaction And Media Coverage

Legacy And Cultural Adaptations