Apollo 13 Minute Podcast

It’s the change of shift at Mission Control. Everyone is being updated on mission status for each station. The scene fades. TITLE: DAY 3 APRIL 13 The CSM and Lunar Module are in rotisserie mode, rolling along the long axis of the two spacecraft. Lovell is using the urine collection system in the lower equipment bay. “Aw, it’s too bad we can’t demonstrate this on TV,” says Lovell. “What a shame,” he smiles. “Okay, overboard dump coming up,” says Lovell. He presses a switch labeled “URINE DUMP,” then turns a knob marked “OVBD DRAIN DUMP.” “Here it comes,” says Lovell. “The Constellation Urion,” says Haise. A spray of ice crystals exits the Command Module. “Now that’s a beautiful sight,” says Haise. In the Lovell residence, Marilyn knocks on her daughter’s bedroom door. “Barbara,” says Marilyn, “Barbara, we are going to your father’s broadcast!” “No!” says Barbara through the closed door. “I’m never coming out! I hate Paul! No one else can play another one of their records again!” “She’s still going on about the s-” begins Susan Lovell. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Fred Haise: Bill Paxton EECOM White Team: Clint Howard EECOM Gold Team John Aaron:  Loren Dean Marilyn Lovell:  Kathleen Quinlan Barbara Lovell: Mary Kate Schellhardt Susan Lovell: Emily Ann Lloyd

Jack Swigert,  is just about to dock the Apollo CSM with the LM. Looking through the reticle, Swigert sees that he’s aligned with the target. The CSM probe pin is aimed directly at the LM’s drogue. Swigert makes a slight roll thrust. There’s a grinding noise. “Capture,” says Swigert. “That’s it!’ says Lovell.  The A and B docking indicators display barber poles. “Talkback is barber-poled,” says Lovell. “Go ahead and retract,” says Swigert.  Lovell throws the RETRACT switch.  There’s a mechanical thump as the two spacecraft connect. “Houston,” says Swigert, “We have hard dock.” “Roger, understand,” says CAPCOM. “It’s a good deal, Jack!” Deke Slayton turns to the NASA Director and they both point at each other as a sign of success. Gene Kranz smiles. The CSM backs the LM away from the S-IV-B. “Okay, Houston,” says Haise, “We have LM extraction.” There’s a Quindar tone. “We copy that, Thirteen,” says CAPCOM. “Now you’re off to the Fra Mauro Highlands.” There’s another Quindar tone. “I gotta get out of this suit,” says Swigert to Lovell and Haise. “Uh, Houston, we are ready for the, uh, beginning of the PTC, and I think once we’re in that barbecue roll,  uh, Jack and I will eat,” says Lovell, looking at Haise. “Hey, I’m hungry,” replies Fred. “Are you sure?” asks Lovell. “I could eat the ass out of a dead rhinoceros,” replies Fred.  Lovell laughs. Back in Houston, it’s shift change. EECOM White Team is cleaning out his pipe into an ashtray, while EECOM Gold Team is standing next to him. “We got a smooth one, huh?” asks EECOM Gold. “On the numbers, so far,” replies EECOM White. “We just ran a minimum test on the -” IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Gene Kranz: Ed Harris CAPCOM: Brett Cullen Deke Slayton: Chris Ellis NASA Director: Joe Spano EECOM White Team: Clint Howard EECOM Gold Team John Aaron:  Loren Dean

Jack Swigert, Command Module Pilot, is about to retrieve the Lunar Module from the S-IV-B. “Thrusting forward,” says Swigert, nudging the RCS controller. “One hundred feet,” says Haise, watching out his window. “Watch the alignment now,” says Lovell. Swigert fires two bursts with the RCS jets, and glances at Lovell. “Hey, don’t worry, guys,” says Swigert, “I’m on top of it.” The CSM edges closer to the LM. “How are we looking, Fredo?” asks Lovell. “We’re not there yet,” replies Haise. “Forty feet!” he calls out to Swigert. Swigert watches through his reticle as he closes on the LM. “Twenty,” says Haise. Swigert lines up the reticle with the LM’s target. “Come on, rookie,” says Deke Slayton, “Park that thing.” “Ten feet,” says Haise. The CSM probe gets within inches of the LM’s drogue target. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Gene Kranz: Ed Harris CAPCOM: Brett Cullen Deke Slayton: Chris Ellis

GUEST: SPACE SHUTTLE CDR CHARLIE PRECOURT The CSM and the S-IV-B hang in deep space. “We’re ready for CSM separation,” says Swigert. “Okay, SM RCS iso valves are all gray, ” says Lovell. “Okay, Swigert – – Command Module Pilot – – she’s all yours.” Swigert presses the JETTISON SLA button. The four SLA panels drift away, revealing the Lunar Module. The CSM moves away from the S-IV-B. “Houston, we’ve got a good separation,” says Swigert. “Odyssey, the S-IV-B is stable,” replies CAPCOM. “Translation looks good,” says Swigert. “We confirm that, Thirteen, ” says CAPCOM. “Okay, we’re gonna start to pitch around,” says Swigert, “to line up with the LM.” “You know, Fredo, Frank Borman? Was upchucking most of the way to the Moon on Apollo 8,” says Lovell. “I’m alright,” says Haise, “I just ate too much breakfast. Let’s go to work.” Swigert’s hand is on the controller. He pulls it back slightly. “And, pitching up,” says Swigert. “Pitch rate, two point five degrees per second.” The LM and the S-IV-B appears next to the pilot’s reticle. “Roger, Jack,” says CAPCOM, “Uh, we see you pitching around.” Deke is standing over the CAPCOM, looking back at the NASA Director in the back row. “Keep an eye on that telemetry,” says Kranz. “Roger that,” says TELMU. “If Swigert can’t dock this thing, we don’t have a mission,” says a controller. “How’s the alignment?” Lovell asks Swigert. “GDC? It’s aligned,” replies Swigert, pressing the “GDC ALIGN” button. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Gene Kranz: Ed Harris CAPCOM: Brett Cullen Deke Slayton: Chris Ellis FIDO White Team Jerry Bostick: Ray McKinnon

FIDO is looking at the numbers for the Trans Lunar Injection. “It’s on the money!” says FIDO, “Looks good, Flight.” “Roger, FIDO,” says Gene Kranz. “Okay, guys – – we’re going to the Moon! “Flight, we have reacquisition of signal at Hawaii,” says a controller.  On the big display screen at the MCC, a graphic showing the route from the Earth to the Moon is titled “EARTH MOON TRANSIT – DISTANCE x 1000 NAUTICAL MILES.” On board Odyssey, Swigert is on the radio. “Okay, Houston, it’s the CMP here,” says Swigert. “I’ve exchanged couches with Jim, I’m in the pilot’s seat. I’m gonna go ahead and get set for transposition and docking.” Fred Haise doesn’t look well. Jim Lovell is changing out of his flight suit. Haise suddenly vomits. Lovell and Swigert look at him, concerned. Chunks of vomit are floating about the cabin in zero gee. “Fredo, are you okay?” asks Lovell. Haise finds a bag and continues retching into the bag. Back at the MCC, Kranz says, “Okay, everybody – let’s get turned around and pick up the Lunar Module.” “Odyssey, you’re go for pyro arm and docking,” says CAPCOM, “repeat, go for docking, and we recommend you secure cabin pressurization.” “Roger that,” says Swigert. “Okay.” The CSM and the S-IV-B hang in deep space. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Gene Kranz: Ed Harris CAPCOM: Brett Cullen FIDO White Team Jerry Bostick: Ray McKinnon

The cabin is filled with floating helmets and gloves in zero gravity, as the astronauts play with these drifting items in the Command Module. The smoky contrail of the launch hangs in the Florida sky. “Oh boy,” says Marilyn Lovell, “I hope I can sleep.” “Mom,” says Margaret Haise, “That was loud!” “Here, hold my hand,” says Mary Haise.  A crowd of VIPs may their way to their cars. “I can’t believe you did this four times,” says Mary to Marilyn. “The worst part’s over,” says Marilyn. “It is?” asks Mary. “Listen,” says Marilyn, “This doesn’t end for me until he lands on that aircraft carrier.” “Aw,” says Mary Haise, “You just look so calm about it!” “Well, if the flight surgeon had to okay me for this mission, I’d be grounded,” replies Marilyn. A crowd of journalists swarm after them. “Mrs. Lovell! Mrs. Haise!” they shout. “Can we just have a word with you?” “Remember!” says Marilyn “You’re ‘proud, happy, and thrilled!'” “How are you feeling?” asks a reporter. “Well, we’re very proud,” says Mary Haise, “and we’re very happy, and we’re thrilled!” A first quarter Moon is eclipsed in the sky by the Apollo-Saturn rocket headed for the Moon. “Flight, Booster – I show S-IV-B shutdown,” says Booster. “TLI-” begins FIDO. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Gene Kranz: Ed Harris CAPCOM: Brett Cullen MSC Controller, Tom: Rory Aylward FIDO White Team Jerry Bostick: Ray McKinnon Booster White Team: Christopher John Fields Marilyn Lovell: Kathleen Quinlan Mary Haise: Tracey Reiner Margaret Haise: Misty Dickinson

Despite the early center engine cutoff on the S-II stage, Apollo 13 continues into orbit. “Looks like we just had our glitch for this mission,” says Lovell. Back on Earth, Ken Mattingly looks at the empty launch pad, then slowly turns to get back in his Corvette. “Thirteen, stand by for staging,” says CAPCOM. “Roger that,” replies Lovell. “S-II shutdown,” says CAPCOM. Over the Atlantic, the S-II is jettisoned as the S-IV-B fires up. “Thrust looks good, Flight,” says Booster, followed by a Quindar tone. “Flight, S-IV-B cutoff in ten seconds,” continues Booster. “Thirteen, this is Houston,” says CAPCOM, “Predicted cutoff is Twelve plus Three-Four, Over?” “Coming up on twelve minutes thirty four,” says Lovell. “And…”  the MET display shows 12:34. “SECO!” says Fred Haise. “Shutdown!” says Lovell. “And that, gentlemen, is how we do that.” The S-IV-B shuts down. Apollo 13 is in Earth orbit. Lovell unlocks his helmet fastener, then removes his helmet. It floats free in zero gravity. Soon, the cabin is filled with floating helmets and gloves. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Gene Kranz: Ed Harris CAPCOM: Brett Cullen 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

Riding into orbit, the instrument panel suddenly reports a problem with the S-II’s center engine. “Houston, this is Thirteen,” says Lovell, “We’ve got a center engine cut-off, go on the other four?” On the big video screen at Mission Control, the telemetry shows Engine Five to be offline. “Thirteen, we show the same, ” says the CAPCOM. He turns toward Kranz. “Booster, can you confirm that center engine cutoff?” asks Kranz. “Roger that, Flight,” says Booster, “looks like we lost it.” “FIDO, what’s that going to do to us?” asks Kranz. “Standby, Flight,” replies FIDO. “I need to know if the IU is correcting for the Number Five shutdown,” says the FAO. Swigert and Haise look at the alarm, then look at Lovell. Lovell looks at the Abort handle. “Houston, what’s the story on Engine Five?” asks Lovell. “Looks good, we’re still Go,” says FIDO. “We’ll be alright, as long as we don’t lose another one.” “Roger that,” says Kranz. “Uh, Thirteen,” says CAPCOM, “We’re not sure why the inboard was out early, but the other engines are go so we’re gonna burn those remaining engines a little bit longer.” “Roger that,” says Lovell, “Our gimbals are good, our trim is good — ” IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Gene Kranz: Ed Harris CAPCOM: Brett Cullen 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

The Command Module’s DSKY reports the ship is Program 11, Verb 16, Noun 62, reporting lines +00062, +00152, and +00032. “Velocity, right on the line,” says Swigert, looking at the instrument panel’s eight-ball. “Roll complete!” says Lovell, “We are pitching!” “Thirteen,” says the CAPCOM, “Stand by for Mode One Bravo.” Flames expand at the base of the Saturn V as the atmosphere gets thinner. In Mission Control,  Kranz asks, “FIDO, how are we looking?” FIDO responds, “Looks good, Flight. Right down the middle.” Above Swigert’s head, the hatch window shows a sky darkening and filling with stars. “Roger!” says Lovell. “EDS to Manual, inboard.”  He says to the crew, “Get ready for a little jolt, fellas!” The ullage motors of the S-I fire, before jettisoning the first stage. The crew is throw violently against their seat straps. The S-I stage falls away, followed by the interstage. The S-II engines ignite. Lovell jettisons the Launch Escape System manually. Fred Haise suddenly gets a view of the outside as the Boost Protective Cover is jettisoned. “Tower jett!” reports Lovell. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Gene Kranz: Ed Harris FIDO White Team Jerry Bostick: Ray McKinnon CAPCOM: Brett Cullen

  The flames at the base of the LUT begin to flow back inside, toward the flame trench. The crew seats shudder as the rocket lifts off the pad. “The clock is running!” announces Lovell.  The Mission Elapsed Time displays 00001, then 00002. Fuel lines separate between the LUT and the spacecraft. The massive hold-down clamps lift away from the base of the ship. “We have liftoff!” says the Launch Director. The Saturn V lifts into the air on a pillar of flame. Marilyn Lovell and Mary Haise watch the liftoff. Mary Haise is weeping. “Houston,” says Lovell, “We have cleared the tower at 13:13.” “Okay, guys – – we got it,” says Kranz to his MCC crew. The Saturn V rises majestically away from Pad 39A. Marilyn Lovell watches from the stands. The Saturn V rides into a cloud bank. From his position on the edge of the Atlantic shoreline, Mattingly watches Apollo 13 rise into the sky. “Come on, baby,” says Mattingly. “Come on.” The Saturn V rises above the clouds. “Altitude,” reports Swigert,” is on the line.” The Command Module’s DSKY reports the ship is Verb 16, Noun 62, reporting lines +00062, +00152, and +—32. 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