Apollo 13 Minute Podcast

A rumbling noise startles Haise and Swigert. “Fuel pump,” explains Lovell. “This is it. A few bumps, and we’re hauling the mail.” The five F-1 engines of the Saturn V are shrouded in fog. In Houston, Mission controllers watch simultaneous television feeds on KTRK – ABC, KHOU – CBS, KPRC – NBC, and the NASA feed. “Control this is Guidance…” says a voice in the background. Kranz looks at his console. “We are go for launch,” announces the Launch Director. “T-Minus…” “Fifteen,” says the PA announcer, as the crowd rises to watch the launch. “Fourteen, Thirteen, Twelve…” Lovell, Haise, and Swigert prepare to launch. “Eleven, Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven,” continues the announcer, “Six…Ignition sequence starts…” Plumes of smoke erupt from the F-1 engines. “Two… One… Ignition!” says the announcer. The launch umbilicals separate themselves from the spacecraft. Sheets of ice rattle down the side of the ship. Flames blast from the bottom of the engines, and engulf the flame trench. A gout of flame erupts across the base of the LUT. Mattingly, apparently not quite a mile from the launch pad, feels the vibration as he stands next to his car. The flames at the base of the LUT begin to flow back inside, toward the flame trench. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Gene Kranz: Ed Harris Launch Director: Andrew Lipschultz CAPCOM: Brett Cullen Guenter Wendt: Endre Hules

Flight Director Gene Kranz is “going around the horn,” asking for a Go / No-Go from the individual controllers. “Recovery?” asks Kranz. “Go!” replies Recovery. “CAPCOM?” asks Kranz. “We’re Go, Flight,” replies the CAPCOM. Kranz presses a button on his console. “Launch Control, this is Houston. We are Go for launch.” TITLE: LAUNCH CONTROL CENTER, CAPE KENNEDY, FLORIDA “Roger that, Houston,” says the Launch Director. “Pad Leader, what’s your status?” “We are go for launch. T-60 seconds and counting,” says a voice on the PA system. The VIP stands are packed with visitors. At the edge of the Atlantic shoreline, Ken Mattingly stands alone, next to his parked Corvette. He looks at the Saturn V, and then looks at his watch. The three astronauts wait for launch in their crew seats. Back at Mission Control, twin displays show the Saturn V on Pad 39A. Kranz clicks his pen several times, and waits. In the Command Module, Lovell wiggles his gloved fingers.  He looks at the Abort handle. Underneath Pad 39A, the sluiceways from the acoustic dampening channel snake back to the base of the Saturn V. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Gene Kranz: Ed Harris Launch Director: Andrew Lipschultz CAPCOM: Brett Cullen Guenter Wendt: Endre Hules

Guenter Wendt shakes hands with Jim Lovell, as Guenter prepares to close out the White Room before launch. Back in Houston, Gene Kranz has donned his new vest for the flight. The other controllers applaud. “Hey, Gene!” says a controller, “I guess we can go now!” “Save it for splashdown, guys,” replies Kranz. Guenter closes the Command Module hatch, locking it with a single turn on the handle. Lovell glances at the crew, smiles, and turns toward the instrument panel. In Houston, Gene takes a deep draw of his Camel cigarette, then takes a gulp of coffee. “Apollo Thirteen flight controllers, listen up,” says Kranz. “Give me a Go / No-Go for launch. Booster?” “Go,” says Booster. “RETRO?” says Kranz. “Go,” says RETRO. “FIDO?” says Kranz. “We’re go, Flight!” says FIDO. “Guidance?” asks Kranz. “Guidance,  go,” says GUIDO. “Surgeon?” asks Kranz. “Go, Flight, ” replies the Flight Surgeon, while smoking a cigarette. “EECOM?” asks Kranz. “We’re go, Flight,” replies EECOM. “GNC?” asks Kranz. “We’re go, ” replies GNC. “TELMU?” asks Kranz. “Go,” replies TELMU. “Control?” asks Kranz. “Go, Flight” replies Control. “Procedures?” asks Kranz. “Go!” replies Procedures. “INCO?” asks Kranz. “Go!” replies INCO. “FAO?” asks Kranz. “We are go” replies FAO. “Network?” asks Kranz. “Go!” replies Network. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Fred Haise: Bill Paxton MSC Controller, Tom: Rory Aylward FIDO White Team Jerry Bostick: Ray McKinnon GUIDO White Team: Andy Milder RETRO White Team: Googy Gress EECOM White Team: Clint Howard Flight Surgeon: Christian Clemonson TELMU White Team: Jim Meskimen INCO White Team: John Short FAO White Team: Todd Louiso GNC White Team: Gabriel Jarret Gene Kranz: Ed Harris Marilyn Lovell: Kathleen Quinlan Mary Haise: Tracy Reiner Guenter Wendt: Endre Hules

GUEST: ACTOR RORY AYLWARD The gantry elevator door opens, and the crew steps out, Lovell leading the way to the White Room and the Command Module. The morning sun sparkles on the Atlantic coastline, viewed from the top of Pad 39A. In Houston’s Mission Control Center, a video screen shows the image of the Saturn V at Pad 39A. Launch trajectory information is displayed to the right of the image. TITLE: MISSION CONTROL HOUSTON, TEXAS. A flight controller hands off a white cardboard box to another controller in a green shirt.  “This is for Gene,” says the first controller. “Mrs Kranz has pulled out the old needle and thread again, “says the White Team’s Flight Dynamics Officer, Jerry Bostick (FIDO). “The last one looks like he bought it off a gypsy,” replies the White Team’s Guidance Officer (Guido). “Well, you can’t argue with tradition,” says the White Team’s Retrofire officer (RETRO). “Copy that,” says Gene Kranz. “This is from your wife, Gene,” says the controller in the green shirt. “Thank you, Tom,” replies Kranz. He opens the box. “Starting to get worried!” Kranz unwraps a white vest with the Apollo 13 logo sewn into it. Kranz holds up the vest so the other controllers can see it. “I like that one, Gene!” says a controller. “Sharp, Gene!” says another controller. Back in the Command Module, Haise is being strapped into his seat.  Each astronaut has a techician push down on the astronaut’s shoulder with a foot, while cinching their seat straps tight. “Jim, you’re all set!” says Guenter Wendt.  Lovell smiles at him. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Asst Flight Controller: Rory Aylward FIDO White Team Jerry Bostick: Ray McKinnon GUIDO White Team: Andy Milder RETRO White Team: Googy Gress Gene Kranz: Ed Harris Marilyn Lovell: Kathleen Quinlan Mary Haise: Tracy Reiner Guenter Wendt: Endre Hules

Swigert has his helmet on and is suited up. “Do yo need more air?” asks the technician. Swigert shakes his head. At the VIP viewing area, several cameramen position a group of cameras mounted on a swivel platform. “Marilyn, hey!” says Mary Haise, as Marilyn Lovell maneuvers her way between children on the viewing platform. “Mary!” replies Marilyn. They hug. “Oh, I hate this already,” says Mary. Marilyn touches Mary’s very pregnant belly. “You’re not just about ready to pop, are you?” “No,” says Mary, grunting as she sits down, “I’ve got thirty days ’til this blasts off.” In the gantry elevator, Lovell glances at the other astronauts. Everyone seems lost in thought. The elevator passes the many service arms of the Launch Umbilical Tower. The Saturn V sheds frost as the elevator rises. People in the VIP stands applaud. The gantry elevator door opens, and the crew steps out, Lovell leading the way. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Suit Room Assistant: Mark McKeel Marilyn Lovell: Kathleen Quinlan Mary Haise: Tracy Reiner

Marilyn Lovell has just lost her wedding ring down a hotel shower drain. “Oh, God no!” she whispers, frantically tugging at the drain cover.  She gives up, and leans back against the shower wall. “Oh, no,” she says. Meanwhile, Jim Lovell pushes his head through the opening at the top of his spacesuit, as the crew suits up for the flight. Swigert does the same, then Haise.  Zippers are closed, oxygen lines are connected. Lovell has his Snoopy cap put on by a technician. Fred Haise’s Omega watch is strapped onto the sleeve of his suit, followed by the installation of his left glove. His helmet is ready to be attached. “Fred,” says the technician. “What?” asks Haise. “Gum,” replies the technician. “Oh, sorry,” says Haise. He looks for a place to spit the gum, finally settling on the technicians open hand. “Thanks,” he says, as he spits out the gum. “I’m gonna give these guys a beautiful ride,” says Swigert, just before the technicians attach his helmet. “We’re sure you will, Jack,” says the technician. He places the helmet over Swigert’s head. Lovell has his helmet attached, as well. The technician locks Lovell’s helmet in place. Swigert receives the same treatment with the helmet latch. After closing the latch, the technician signals to Swigert with two raised thumbs. Swigert repeats the gesture. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Suit Room Assistant: Mark McKeel Marilyn Lovell: Kathleen Quinlan

The crew of Apollo 13 is suiting up for launch. “Ah! Guenter Wendt!” says Lovell to the Pad Leader.  “I vunder vhere Guenter Wendt?” says Lovell. Gunter smiles. “Jim!” says Guenter. “You walk on the Moon, ya?” “Ya, ya – we walk and –” Jim winces as the technician applies alcohol to the heart sensor. “And ve talk on ze Moon.” The men continue suiting up, technicians applying medical sensors on each astronaut. Meanwhile, at the Safari Inn Motel, a sign reads “OCEAN VIEW, COLOR TV, GOOD LUCK APOLLO 13” Marilyn is taking a shower in her hotel room. As she rubs soap in her hands, her wedding ring pops off, and promptly slides down the drain.  She gasps. Tugging frantically at the drain cover, she can’t budge it out of the way.  She turns off the water and still tries to get the drain cover off. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Guenter Wendt: Endre Hules Marilyn Lovell: Kathleen Quinlan

Jim Lovell looks across the road and is surprised when he sees a familiar face winding through the line of parked cars. It’s Marilyn. Jim smiles. “Well, hey,” he says, “that looks like Marilyn Lovell! But it can’t be – – she’s not coming to the launch!” “I heard it was gonna be a hell of a show,” says Marilyn. “Who told you that?” asks Jim. “Some guy I know,” replies Marilyn. They smile at each other. “You can’t live without me!” says Jim. “Okay, folks,” says the Press Agent, “Let’s say goodnight. We’ve got a big day tomorrow for these guys!” The families say goodnight. “Did you hear about Ken?” Jim asks Marilyn. “Yeah,” says Marilyn. Jim nods. They blow each other a kiss. Dawn breaks. TITLE: APRIL 11, 1970 – CAPE KENNEDY, FLORIDA A technician sands the hair off Jim Lovell’s sternum, in preparation for applying a heart sensor. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Marilyn Lovell: Kathleen Quinlan

Deke Slayton and Jim Lovell are talking about Jack Swigert’s poor performance in the Command Module simulator. “If I had a dollar for every time they killed me in this thing,” says Lovell, “I wouldn’t have to work for you, Deke.” Deke merely looks at Lovell. “Well,” says Lovell, “we have two days. We’ll be ready.” Lovell turns to the simulator controllers. “Let’s do it again!” says Lovell.  He heads back up the stairs. “Do it again,” shrugs Deke. The night before launch, the crew is assembled on one side of the road leading to Pad 39A. Family and friends are assembled on the other side of the road. Spotlights bathe the Saturn V in brilliant illumination. “Mom, there he is!” says Margaret Haise. “Margaret!” shouts Mary Haise, ” Get down, Fred, Steven – come here!” They’re blocked by someone at the gate across the road. “We can’t go across that road!” says Mary to her children. TITLE: APRIL 10, 1970 – NIGHT BEFORE LAUNCH “We don’t want Daddy to get any of our germs and get sick in outer space, right?” explains Mrs. Haise. “Hey boys!” says Fred Haise, across the road. “Not gonna give your mom a hard time, are you?” “No sir,” says Fred, Jr. “Princess,” says Fred to his daughter, “you look beautiful!” “Jack!” says a voice. Jack Swigert smiles. Lovell looks across the road and is surprised when he sees a familiar face winding through the line of parked cars. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Deke Slayton: Chris Ellis Mary Haise: Tracey Reiner Margaret Haise: Misty Dickinson Fred Haise, Jr.: Taylor Goodall Stephen Haise: Matthew Michael Goodall

Warnings start beeping in the Command Module SIM during a mock reentry. “We’re at twelve Gees,” says Swigert. “Twelve Gees,” repeats Lovell, “We’re burning up.” “Dammit,” says Deke, at the simulator console. “I gave ’em a false indicator light, right at entry interface,” says the Sim controller, “Even Mattingly didn’t get it the first time.” “How are you feeling, Fredo?” asks Lovell, sitting center seat in the Command Module simulator. “Char broiled,” replies Haise. Lovell turns to Swigert. “So, what happened?” he asks. “Came in too steep,” says Swigert. “We’re dead.” “No s–t,” says Haise. “Yeah,” says Lovell,” yeah, we were into Program sixty-seven there, so…” Swigert nods. “Okay guys,” says Lovell into his microphone, “we’re going to do this again, obviously, but give us a minute to get our switches reset.” “Jim,” says Deke on the intercom, “could we have a word?” “Sure – – Deke,” says Lovell, looking at Swigert.  Lovell climbs out of the simulator. “We’re going to drop offline for debriefing,” says a voice on the intercom. Lovell climbs down the stairs to Deke. “So?” says Deke. “Well,”  replies Lovell. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Ken Mattingly: Gary Sinese Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Deke Slayton: Chris Ellis