GUEST HOST: AMY YOUNG
OF THE SPACE STATION MUSEUM
NOVATO, CALIFORNIA

Jim and Marilyn Lovell are discussing Jim’s assignment to the Apollo 13 mission.

Marilyn shakes her head in disbelief. “I can’t believe it,” she says, “Naturally, it’s thirteen. Why, thirteen?”

“It comes after twelve, Hon,” replies Jim. Marilyn smiles back at him.

In the Command Module trainer, Ken Mattingly examines the instrument panel.

“Apollo 13, you are go for pyro arm and docking,” says the Capcom. “all systems are nominal and on the line.”

TITLE: “MANNED SPACECRAFT CENTER HOUSTON, TEXAS, 3 MONTHS PRIOR TO LAUNCH”

“Okay, S-IV-B is stable,” replies LM Pilot Fred Haise. “Slot panels are drifting free. The drogue is clear. Docking target is clear.”

“Seventy five feet, we’re coming up on docking,” says Haise to the crew.

In the Sim room, one of the controllers says, “Let’s shut down some thrusters on him. Let’s see what he does with this one.” Another operator presses a button.

“Who, wait a minute,” says Mattingly, “I lost something here. I can’t translate up.” Mattingly works the joystick.

“Houston, we are drifting down and away,” reports Haise.

“Do you want to just back off and take another run at this?” says Lovell to Mattingly.

“No, I got it. I got it,” replies Mattingly. “Let me just try and get her stable here. The SIM camera wobbles as it aims toward the LM docking port.

“Houston, I’m gonna reset the high-gain here,” says Haise.

“I’ve got the target back in the reticle,” says Mattingly. “Okay, we’re stable.”

IN THIS MINUTE:

Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks
Marilyn Lovell: Kathleen Quinlan
SIM controller: Arthur Senzy
Ken Mattingly: Gary Sinese
Fred Haise: Bill Paxton

Kyle Lukoff

The AI-powered Podcast Player