Apollo 13 Minute Podcast

GUEST: NASA FLIGHT DIRECTOR BILL REEVES   Lovell remains in his chair, after having told Ken Mattingly he’s no longer on the Apollo 13 crew. The scene shifts to Jack Swigert, manning the left seat in a Command Module simulator during a reentry sequence. “Trajectory is holding steady,” says Swigert, “We’re right on the line.” “Okay we’re into Program 64,” responds Lovell, ” We’re oh-five Gee so we’re feeling that gravity now.” “Houston,” says Haise, “we are at four hundred thousand feet, passing entry interface.” “Reentry data is nominal and we have radio blackout,” says the SIM operator. Deke Slayton watches the SIM controllers at their consoles. In the CM simulator, Swigert sees a warning. “What’s the story here?” says Swigert. He scans the panel and sees a deviation on the trajectory scope. “I got a corridor light. We’re coming in too shallow. I’m going to manual.” Haise looks questioningly at the decision. Swigert twists the controller sharply. “Houston, switching to SCS” says Haise. “Roger,” says the SIM CapCom. “Okay, we’re at three gees,” says Swigert, watching the dial. “Five gees.  We’re coming in too steep. I’m gonna stay in this roll, see if I can pull us out. We’re at eight gees.  Nine. Ten”  Warnings start beeping. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Ken Mattingly: Gary Sinese Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Deke Slayton: Chris Ellis

GUEST HOST: PODCASTER BRETT STILLO Mattingly is dealing with the loss of his seat on the mission. “Swigert,” says Mattingly, “he’ll do fine.  He’s, uh, he’s strong.” Lovell and Haise continue to say nothing. “It’ll be a hell of a mission – – one for the books,” says Mattingly. Lovell looks at Mattingly, but says nothing. “You’re sure about this, Jim?” asks Mattingly. “I mean, why don’t I go upstairs and talk to Deke? I’m sure we can work this out.” Haise looks at Lovell. “This was my call,” explains Lovell. The words hang in the air. Mattingly’s expression changes. Haise looks at the floor. “Must have been a tough one,” says Mattingly. Lovell doesn’t reply. Mattingly stands up from his chair and walks toward the exit, then turns around. “Look, I don’t have the measles,” says Ken. I’m not gonna GET the measles.”  He walks out. “Ken, wait up!” says Haise, following Mattingly. Lovell remains in his chair. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Woman in Towel: Unknown Ken Mattingly: Gary Sinese Fred Haise: Bill Paxton

GUEST: PODCASTER BRETT STILLO The woman steps into the bedroom, wearing a towel and drying her hair. Jack Swigert lets out a whoop in his bedroom. Back in the SIM room, Ken Mattingly is reacting to the news that he’s been bumped from the Apollo 13 crew. “Well,” he says, “I-uh,  — damn. Medical guys! I had a feeling when they started doing all the blood tests, that, uh.  I mean, I know it’s their ass if I get sick up there, but, mean —  JESUS!” Lovell and Haise say nothing. “Oh boy,” says Mattingly. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Woman in Towel: Unknown Ken Mattingly: Gary Sinese Fred Haise: Bill Paxton

The NASA Director is explaining the options for the Apollo 13 mission to Jim Lovell. “We can either scrub Mattingly, go with Swigert,” says the Director, “or we can bump all three of you to a later mission.” Lovell pauses. “I’ve trained for the Fra Mauro highlands,” says Lovell. “and this is — Flight Surgeon horses–t! Deke –?” “Jim, if you hold out for Ken, you will not be on Apollo 13,” says Deke. “It’s your decision.” The scene changes to Jack Swigert’s apartment. His phone is ringing. Jack is in the shower. “Oh, let it ring!” says a woman. “I gotta take that,” says Jack, climbing out of the shower. The woman is with him in the shower. “Oh why?” says the woman. “Because,” says Jack, “I’m on the backup crew. The backup crew has to set up the guest lists, book the hotel rooms — Swigert!” he says as he picks up the phone.  “Yeah,” he says into the phone, then becomes more formal,  “Yes. Yes, sir. I understand. Thank you, sir. ” He hangs up the phone and rubs his forehead, bewildered. The woman steps into the bedroom, wearing a towel and drying her hair. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Technician Walter: Walter von Huene Deke Slayton: Chris Ellis Flight Surgeon Dr. Chuck: Christian Clemenson NASA Director: Joe Spano Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Woman in Towel: Unknown

The Saturn V continues down the crawlerway. “Fredo and I are going to be going over the lunar experiments tomorrow,” says Lovell to Walter, the technician, “and Ken’s going to be back in the simulator. We’re going to be going over the flight plan tonight, as well.”  He shakes hands with a pad technician. Pointing at the Saturn V, Lovell says, “We’re going to be paying a visit to this beautiful machine after you’re hard down!” A NASA car pulls up behind Lovell.  Deke Slayton and the flight surgeon step out of the car. “Jim,” says Deke, “We’ve got a problem.” “I just got some blood work back from the lab,” says the flight surgeon, “Charlie Duke has the measles.” “So, we need a new backup,” says Lovell. “You’ve all been exposed to it,” says the flight surgeon. “Well, I’ve had the measles,” replies Lovell. “Ken Mattingly hasn’t,” says Deke. In the NASA Director’s office, Lovell continues the conversation. “You – you want to break up my crew, two days before the launch,” asks Lovell, “when we can predict each other’s moves and we can read the tone of each other’s voices?” “Ken Mattingly will be getting seriously ill precisely when you and Haise will be ascending from the lunar surface to rendezvous with him,” explains the flight surgeon. “Jim,” says Deke, “that’s a lousy time for a fever.” “Alright, now look,” replies Lovell, “Jack Swigert has been out of the loop for weeks.” “He’s fully qualified to fly this mission,” says the Director. “He’s a fine pilot,” says Lovell, “but when was the last time he was in a simulator?” “I’m sorry, Jim. I understand how you feel,” says the Director. “Now, we can do one of two things here -” IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Technician Walter: Walter von Huene Deke Slayton: Chris Ellis Flight Surgeon Dr. Chuck: Christian Clemenson NASA Director: Joe Spano

GUEST: ERIK LINDBERGH The crew of Apollo 13 is discussing superstitions about the number thirteen. Mattingly says he had a black cat “walk over a broken mirror under the Lunar Module ladder, and it didn’t seem to be a problem.” “And we also considered a real helpful letter we got from a fellow,” continued Haise, “who said we ought to take a pig up with us for good luck!” Fred laughs. “Does it bother you that the public regards this flight as routine?” asks another reporter. “There’s nothing routine about flying to the Moon,” replies Lovell, “I can vouch for that.  And, uh, I think that an astronaut’s last mission — his final flight — well, that’s always going to be very special.” Mattingly and Haise look at Lovell in stunned surprise at this news. “Why is this your last, Jim?” asks Phil the Reporter. “I’m in command of the best ship, with the best crew that anybody could ask for, and I’ll be walking in a place where there is four hundred degrees difference between sunlight and shadow – – I can’t imagine ever topping that,” explains Lovell. The scene shifts to the gigantic treads of a Mobile Transporter. TITLE: “APRIL 9, 1970, 2 DAYS PRIOR TO LAUNCH” A technician is talking to Lovell, as they walk next to the giant crawler. “So, we have that scheduled for oh-nine-hundred hours tomorrow,” says the technician. “That’s not gonna work, Walter…” says Lovell. “Why?” asks Walter. The Saturn V continues down the crawlerway. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Marilyn Lovell : Kathleen Quinlan Ken Mattingly: Gary Sinese Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Reporter Phil: Thomas Crawford Technician Walter: Walter von Huene

Marilyn Lovell just informed Jim that she doesn’t want to go to the launch. Inside a helicopter hangar, Jim Lovell walks out to the T-38 flight line. He passes by several airmen. “Jim!” says one of the airmen. “Hey guys!” Lovell responds. “See you in a few weeks!” “Take care!” says the other airman. “Bring us back a Moon rock!” In the back yard of the Lovell home, Marilyn is gardening.  Jim’s plane soars high overhead. Marilyn watches as it disappears behind her backyard trees. She looks wistfully at her garden flowers. In a photo studio, a photographer focuses a medium-format camera. Flashbulbs snap as the Apollo 13 crew is photographed in front of a starry background with the American and NASA flags flanking the crew. Dressed in their space suits, Lovell, Mattingly, and Haise carry their clear helmets under one arm. “So,” says one of the reporters, Phil, assembled for the photo session, “The number thirteen doesn’t bother you?” TITLE: APRIL 7, 1970 CAPE KENNEDY FLORIDA, 4 DAYS PRIOR TO LAUNCH. “Only if it’s a Friday, Phil,” replies Haise. “Apollo 13, lifting off at 1300 hours and 13 minutes, and entering the Moon’s gravity on April 13th?” continues Phil. “Uh,” says Lovell, “Ken Mattingly here has been doing some scientific experiments, regarding that very phenomenon.” “Oh yes,” says Mattingly, “Well, I had a black cat –” IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Marilyn Lovell : Kathleen Quinlan Ken Mattingly: Gary Sinese Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Reporter Phil: Thomas Crawford

GUEST: NANCY O’KANE Jim Lovell restarts his stalled car. “So, I was looking at the kids’ school schedule coming up,” says Marilyn. “Yeah?” says Jim. “It’s a very busy week,” she continues. “Yeah,” says Jim. “I’m thinking about,” continues Marilyn, “not going to the launch.” Jim looks at her. “Huh,” he says. “The kids need me at home, Honey,” explains Marilyn. “Marilyn,” says Jim, “We’ve had these kids for a while now. They’ve never kept you from coming to the other launches.” “Yes,” says Marilyn, “but now we have your mother – – she’s just had this stroke…” “Oh, Mom’s fine,” says Jim. “Honey, it’s not like I’ve never been to a launch before. The other wives have not done three.” explains Marilyn. ” I just — I just don’t think I can go through all that.” Jim looks at her again. “I’ll just be glad when this one’s over,” says Marilyn. “Well,” says Jim, “You’re going to miss a hell of a show.”  Marilyn looks back at him. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Marilyn Lovell : Kathleen Quinlan

Guest: EAA Intern Abby Riley In Jay Lovell’s bedroom, Jim Lovell is talking to his son about the Apollo One fire. “– and, uh, well a lot of things went wrong on that fire,” continues Jim Lovell. “Did they fix it?” asks Jay Lovell. “Oh yes,” replies Jim Lovell, “Absolutely. We fixed it. It’s not a problem any more.” Marilyn, listening in, leans her head against a wall in the hallway. On the streets of Houston, a Cadillac and an AMC Hornet drive along the road at night.  Jim and Marilyn Lovell, in their red Corvette, pull in front of the cars. “I can’t believe they still have you doing public appearances!” says Marilyn. “Well, Henry Hurt was — all over me,” says Jim. “I know,” says Marilyn. “But I couldn’t get- ” begins Jim. “But the training schedule,” says Marilyn, “it’s tight. They shouldn’t be asking.” “It’s the program,” says Jim. “Marilyn, you know – – it’s NASA.” A Ford Mustang pulls up next to them. The driver shouts, “Hey, you’re Jim Lovell, aren’t you?” Jim nods. “Ha! Lucky Thirteen!” says the driver.  Jim salutes him. “Right on!” says the driver. The light turns green, and the Mustang peels out. Jim steps on the gas, but his Corvette stalls. “It’s the second time it’s done that,” says Jim. He restarts the car. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Marilyn Lovell : Kathleen Quinlan Jay Lovell: Max Elliott Slade Noisy Civilian: Todd Hallowell

Guest: Jennifer Levasseur, Curator, National Air & Space Museum, Washington, DC   In Jeff Lovell’s bedroom, Jim Lovell is talking to his son about the Lunar Module. “– only holds two people.  It’s just for landing on the Moon. And I take the controls, and I steer it around, and I fly it down, adjusting it here, the attitude there, ” says Jim, steering a model LM, “pitch, roll – – for a nice, soft landing on the Moon.” He sets the LM model down on a table. “Better than Neil Armstrong,” says Jim Lovell, “way better than Pete Conrad.” “Dad…” says Jeff, hesitantly, “Did you know the astronauts in the fire?” “Yeah, yeah I did know the astronauts in the fire,” replies Jim. “All of them.” “Could that happen again?” asks Jeff. “Well, I’ll tell you something about that fire,” says Jim, “Um, a lot of things went wrong. The door – – it’s called the hatch? — They couldn’t get it open when they needed to get out, that was one thing.” IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Marilyn Lovell : Kathleen Quinlan Jeff Lovell: Miko Hughes