Apollo 13 Minute Podcast

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Minute 065: Flying with a Dead Elephant Jan 18, 2019

Show notes

“What happened?” asks Glynn Lunney. The flight controllers in the “trench” hold their hands up in the air.

Aquarius and Odyssey tumble in space. The RCS thrusters on Aquarius fire.

“We’re all out of whack,” says Lovell. “We’re trying to pitch down but we’re yawing to the left. Why can’t I null this out?” Jim twists the controller in his right hand.

“She wasn’t designed to fly attached like this,” says Haise. “Our center of gravity is the Command Module.” The CSM and LM stack continues to spin crazily.

Lovell sighs. “It’s like flying with a dead elephant on our back,” he says.

“Flight,” says GUIDO, “Guidance – – we’re getting awfully close to center here!” GUIDO waves at his telemetry screen.

“Aquarius,” says CAPCOM, “Watch that middle gimbal. We don’t want you tumbling off into space.”

“Inform Houston that I’m well aware of the goddamn gimbals!” shouts Lovell.

“Roger that, Houston,” says Freddo, calmly.

“I don’t need to hear the obvious,” continues Lovell, “I’ve got the frappin’ eight ball right in front of me!”

“Andy,” says Glynn to CAPCOM, “We’re on VOX!”

“Uh, Aquarius, this is Houston,” says CAPCOM, “We’ve got you both on VOX.”

“You want what?” asks Haise. “You want us to go to VOX, Andy?”

“You have a hot mic,” replies CAPCOM. “We are reading everything you say.” Lovell glances at Haise.

“Sorry, Jim,” says Fred, switching off the VOX setting and changing to Push To Talk.

Back in the Lovell home, Jules Bergman of ABC News is still on television.

“And it’s only by a very narrow margin,” says Bergman, “that we’re going to get Lovell, Haise, and Swigert back alive.”

“Marilyn?” says Jane Conrad. Marilyn, kneeling down in front of the TV, looks up.

“I’m sorry,” continues Jane, “Jeffrey’s calling for you.”

IN THIS MINUTE:

Jules Bergman: Himself
Marilyn Lovell: Kathleen Quinlan
Jane Conrad: Michele Little
Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks
Fred Haise: Bill Paxton
CAPCOM: Brett Cullen
GUIDO White Team: Andy Milder
Glynn Lunney: Marc McClure

Minute 064: Did We Miss a Step Here? Jan 17, 2019

Show notes

ABC News Science Editor Jules Bergman is on the Lovell TV set, talking about the mishap, and explaining the LM’s use as a…

“-life boat,” continues Bergman, “so they’ll have electrical power for their radios on the Command Module. Apollo 13 is also apparently losing breathing oxygen, and the astronauts may have to use the LM -”

Marilyn crosses in front of the TV while on the phone with NASA.

“So, what exactly does that mean?” she asks.

Pete and Jane Conrad are at the Lovell house. Pete is on another phone in Jim’s den. Jane watches the ABC report while daughters Susan and Barbara Lovell watch with her.

“The emergency has ruled out any chance of a lunar landing, ” says Bergman, “and could endanger the lives of the astronauts themselves. If the LM oxygen supply, plus whatever’s left of the Command Module’s oxygen can’t last them until they can get back to Earth.”

“What do you mean there’s no immediate danger?” says Marilyn into the phone. “I – I just heard they’re losing oxygen! Can they get back?

“It’s not clear if the LM’s descent engine will be used in aborting the mission, ” continues Bergman, “and getting the astronauts safely back to Earth. Recapping what has happened now: the Apollo 13 astronauts may be in grave danger…”

“No, don’t give me that NASA bulls–t!” says Marilyn into the phone. “I want to know what’s happening with my husband!”

Back in Aquarius, Jim and Freddo are working through checklists.

“Okay,” says CAPCOM, “We want to switch control to Aquarius now.”

“Roger that,” says Jack Swigert in Odyssey.

“Houston, wait!” says Lovell.

“And you’re down to about five minutes,” continues CAPCOM, as Swigert is flipping switches on the Command Module panels.

Both ships shudder.

“Whoa,” says Freddo, “The RCS isn’t up yet!”

“Houston,” repeats Jim Lovell, “Be aware: our RCS isn’t up here yet! We have no attitude control on Aquarius!”

The ships tumble in deep space between the Earth and the Moon.

CAPCOM looks at Glynn Lunney.

“They don’t have control?” asks Lunney. “Did we miss a step here? Control? What the hell?”

IN THIS MINUTE:

Jules Bergman: Himself
Marilyn Lovell: Kathleen Quinlan
Pete Conrad: David Andrews
Jane Conrad: Michele Little
Barbara Lovell: Mary Kate Schelhardt
Susan Lovell: Emily Ann Lloyd
Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks
Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon
Fred Haise: Bill Paxton
CAPCOM: Brett Cullen
Glynn Lunney: Marc McClure

Minute 063: ABC’s Science Editor Jules Bergman Jan 16, 2019

Show notes

Dick Cavett is delivering his evening monologue on TV. Ken Mattingly is reclining on a couch, watching sullenly and drinking a beer out of a can.

“It’s a great day in New York,” says Cavett. “It’s girl-watchers’ weather. I like those ingenious girl watchers who put on Con Edison helmets and dig trenches in the streets to get a better view…”

The studio audience laughs.

“But I – – ” continues Cavett, “Hey, speaking of girl watching things, do you know that our first bachelor astronaut is on his way to the Moon? Is it Swigert?”

“Yes,” his announcer responds.

“Yeah,” replies Cavett, “First bachelor, and he’s the kind they say has a girl in every port. He has that reputation. I think he’s sort of foolishly optimistic, though — taking nylons and Hershey bars to the Moon.”

The audience laughs. Mattingly takes another drink from his can of Budweiser.

“Did you read that three million – – do you say less viewers or fewer viewers?” asks Cavett, “Three million — three million fewer viewers watched the last space shot than did the last one.”

Mattingly stands up and takes his phone off the hook.

“I talked to — Colonel Borman said that-“Cavett continues, but Mattingly walks behind the TV and doesn’t look at the screen as he reaches to turn off the TV. Just as he does so, a graphic with the words “APOLLO 13 SPECIAL REPORT” appears on the screen.

“An ABC News – ” begins the announcer, but Mattingly has already pressed the power button, and the screen goes dark.

Meanwhile, at the Lovell household, the ABC broadcast continues.

“Here is ABC Science Editor Jules Bergman,” says the announcer. Bergman appears on screen.

“The Apollo 13 spacecraft has lost all electrical power,” says Bergman. “and astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert are making their way through the tunnel to the Lunar Module using it as a life-”

IN THIS MINUTE:

Gary Sinese as Ken Mattingly
Dick Cavett as Himself
Jules Bergman as Himself

Minute 062: A Double Check of the Arithmetic Jan 15, 2019

Show notes

Command Module is running low on power.

“– about eight minutes remaining,” says CAPCOM.

“Okay,” says Swigert. “Fuel cell pumps off, Oh Two fans, Tank Two off.”

“Okay, uh, Houston, check me,” says Lovell, “I’ve completed these gimbal conversions, but, uh, I need a double-check of the arithmetic.”

“Uh, yeah,” says CAPCOM, “You can go, Jim.”

“Okay,” says Lovell, “The Roll cowl angle is minus two. Lunar Module roll is three five five point five seven…”

Four flight controllers simultaneously copy his numbers.

“Pitch, one six seven eight, correction, pitch one six seven point seven eight,” continues Lovell, “Yaw is three five one point eight seven.”

“Standby,” says CAPCOM, “We’re checking it.” The controllers examine the numbers.

“We’ve got negative visibility in our star field, but if this paperwork isn’t right, who knows where – – where we’ll end up out here?” says Lovell. Controllers are using slide rules to confirm the math.

Haise does his own calculations.

“Looks good, Flight!” says a controller.

“It’s alright,” says a second controller.

“Good here, ” says a third controller.

“He’s good, Andy!” says a fourth controller.

“Okay, we’re go on those numbers,” says Glynn Lunney.

“You’re go, Jim!” says CAPCOM.

“Log ’em in, Fredo,” says Lovell, tossing the pad to Haise.

“Jack, turn off the IMU, switch to SCS,” says CAPCOM. “Standby thrust – over.”

Dick Cavett is in the middle of his opening monologue.

IN THIS MINUTE:

Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks
Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon
Fred Haise: Bill Paxton
Gene Kranz: Ed Harris
EECOM White Team: Clint Howard
TELMU White Team: Jim Meskimen
CAPCOM: Brett Cullen
Deke Slayton: Chris Ellis
NASA Director: Joe Spano
Flight Surgeon: Christian Clemenson
Glynn Lunney: Marc McClure
Dick Cavett: Himself

Minute 061: A Bad Way to Fly Jan 14, 2019

Show notes

Lovell and Haise are going through quick procedures to get the LM up and running, while the CSM fires its thrusters to try and steady the two spacecraft.

“Uh, Houston, ” says Lovell, “Be aware that I’ve moved from the Command Module into the LM.”

Meanwhile, Gene Kranz talks to fellow Flight Director Glynn Lunney.

“Now, if Jack can’t get that guidance computer data transferred before they go dead in there –” says Gene.

“– he won’t even know which way they’re pointed,” finishes Lunney.

“That’s right,” agrees Kranz.

“That’s a bad way to fly,” says Lunney.

“I’ll be in Two Ten if you need me,” says Kranz.

“Okay,” says Lunney. Kranz leaves the MCC.

The CSM’s Reaction Control System continues to fire random bursts, trying to maintain course.

“Houston, this is Thirteen,” says Swigert, “Are you back with me now?”

Haise is thrown against the ceiling of the LM.

“Aquarius, this is Houston,” says CAPCOM, “You now have about twelve minutes to power up.”

“I can’t see any stars!” says Haise, trying to get a fix with the LM’s sextant. “Man, there’s a lot of debris floating around out there.”

“Okay, Houston, I’ve completed the steps on Page Fifteen – now I’m ready to power down the computer,” says Swigert in the Command Module.

Lovell hears him from the LM and shouts, “I’m going to need your gimbal angles, Jack! Before you shut down the computer!”

“Okay, Jim!” replies Swigert.

Back in Mission Control, the controllers are having a conference around CAPCOM’s workstation.

“They need this back to me before they power down,” says TELMU, handing CAPCOM a pad.

“Houston,” says Lovell, “our computer is up.”

“Roger that, standby – ” says CAPCOM. Lovell is writing course alignment angles on a flight worksheet.

“Now, Jack,” continues CAPCOM, “we need to proceed through steps twelve through seventeen quickly. Because you’re down to, uh –”

IN THIS MINUTE:

Minute 060: The Lunar Module Just Became a Lifeboat Jan 04, 2019

Show notes

“Guys, listen up, here’s the drill,” says Kranz to the other controllers, “We’re moving the astronauts over to the LM. We’ve gotta get some oxygen up there. TELMU, Control, I want an emergency power-up procedure, the essential hardware only! GNC, EECOM — we’re going to be shutting down the Command Module at the same time. We’ll have to transfer the guidance system from one computer to the other, so I want those numbers up and ready when our guys are in position!”

“Okay, we gotta transfer all control data over to the LM computer before the Command Module dies,” says a controller.

Kranz turns to the NASA Director. “The Lunar Module just became a lifeboat,” explains Gene. The Director nods his head.

“Odyssey, this is Houston,” says CAPCOM. “Uh, we need you to power down immediately, and you’ll have to power up the LM at the same time, so you’d better get somebody over there.”

“We already have Fredo in the LM, Houston,” replies Lovell.

“We’ve got serious time pressure here, Jim,” says CAPCOM. “You’ve got to get the guidance program transferred, and you’ve got to do it before you’re out of power in the Command Module, or you’re not going to be able to navigate up there.”

“How much time?” asks Lovell. “Can you give me a number?”

“Well,” says CAPCOM, “We’re looking at less than fifteen minutes of life support in the Odyssey.”

Lovell unhooks his seatbelt and floats down the tunnel to the LM.

“We’ve got fifteen minutes, Fredo,” says Lovell, “it’s worse than I thought.”

IN THIS MINUTE:

Minute 059: If This Doesn’t Work Jan 03, 2019

Show notes

The three astronauts look at the pressure gauge, which continues to fall.

“If this doesn’t work,” says Swigert, “we’re not gonna have enough power left to get home.”

Staring at the meter, the gauge stands at 200 PSI, then begins to drop precipitously.

EECOM watches his console as the pressure and quantity continues to drop.

The needle on the Command Module’s panel drops to zero.

“S–t!” says Haise.

“God dammit!” says EECOM.

“Uh, Houston,” says Haise, “Oh-Two on One is still falling.”

Lovell looks out Window Number One and considers the plumes of vapor pouring into outer space.

“Fredo, how long does it take to power up the LM?” asks Lovell.

“Three hours, by the checklist,” replies Haise.

“We don’t have that much time,” says Lovell.

Haise realizes the implications of the time constraint. “S–t!” he repeats, and dives into the LM tunnel, operations manual clenched between his teeth.

“Okay, now, Jack, before the batteries completely die on us in here, let’s uh, let’s power down everything, so we can save as much as we can for re-entry,” says Lovell.

Back at Mission Control, Kranz and EECOM huddle for a conference.

“We have fifteen minutes of oxygen, and that’s it,” explains EECOM, “the Command Module will be dead.”

“Okay,” says Kranz. He turns to the other controllers. “Okay-” he begins.

IN THIS MINUTE:

Minute 058: We Just Lost the Moon Jan 02, 2019

Show notes

In the Command Module, Jim Lovell tries to digest this order to shut down the fuel cells.

“– the fuel cells? Did I hear you right?” asks Lovell.

“Yeah, they heard me right,” says Kranz to CAPCOM. “Tell them we think that’s the only way they can stop the leak.”

“Yeah, Jim,” says CAPCOM, “uh, we think that closing the REACT valves may stop the leak.”

Lovell says nothing, but glances over to Haise.

“Did he copy that?” asks Kranz.

“Do you copy, Jim?” asks CAPCOM.

“Yes, Houston,” replies Lovell, “we copy.”

He looks at his crewmates. “We just lost the Moon,” says Lovell. Swigert looks at the panel. Haise looks at Lovell. The ship makes a groaning noise.

“Okay, Fredo,” says Lovell, “shut those down.”

Haise looks at the switches. “Let’s see what this does,” he says, pressing the 1 and 3 switches to OFF.

The three astronauts look at the pressure gauge, which continues to fall.

IN THIS MINUTE:

Minute 057: The Whole Smash Dec 25, 2018

Show notes

EECOM is trying to figure out how to resolve the issue of the oxygen tank leak.

“We can save what’s left in the tanks and we can run on the good cell,” he explains to Gene Kranz.

“You close them, you can’t open them again. You can’t land on the Moon with one healthy fuel cell!” says Kranz.

EECOM stands up from his console. “Gene,” he says, “the Odyssey is dying. From my chair here, this is the last option.”

Kranz looks at EECOM and considers the news. The other flight controllers look at Gene.

“Okay, Cy,” says Kranz. The other controllers await orders. Deke Slayton looks at Gene, as well as the NASA Director.

“CAPCOM,” says Kranz, “Let’s have them close the reactant valves.”

“Thirteen, this is Houston,” says CAPCOM. “We want you to close REACT valves on cells One and Three. Do you copy?”

In the Command Module, Jim Lovell tries to digest this order. “Are you saying you want the whole smash?” he asks. “Closing down the REACT valves for fuel cell shutdown? Shutting down – -”

IN THIS MINUTE:

Minute 056: The Ship’s Bleeding to Death Dec 24, 2018

Show notes

Lovell leans over in his couch, and looks at the dials. The Number One tank pressure is dropping.

“Two hundred pounds and falling,” says Haise.

“Oh-Two Tank Two, still zero,” says EECOM. “Tank One, Two Eighteen PSI and falling.”

“Is that what you’re getting?” asks Haise. “Confirm!”

“Uh, we’re seeing the same, Thirteen,” says CAPCOM.

“Can we review our status here, Cy?” Kranz asks EECOM, “Let’s look at this from a, uh, from a standpoint of status. Uhh – what have we got on the spacecraft that’s good?”

EECOM pauses, and looks at his screen. “I’ll get back to you, Gene,” says EECOM.

On the ship, the three men look at the oxygen gauge.

“We’re not gonna have power much longer,” says Haise. “The ship’s bleeding to death.” There’s another rumble from deep in the spacecraft.

EECOM continues to look at his monitors. He rubs his eyes under his glasses. He pushes his comm button. “Flight?” says EECOM.

“Yeah, go EECOM,” says Kranz.

“Uh, Flight, I recommend we shut down the reactant valves of the fuel cells,” says EECOM.

“What the hell good is that gonna do?” asks Kranz, stepping over to EECOM’s console.

“If that’s where the leak is, we can isolate it,” replies EECOM. “We can isolate it there – ”

IN THIS MINUTE:

Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks
Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon
Fred Haise: Bill Paxton
Gene Kranz: Ed Harris
EECOM White Team: Clint Howard
TELMU White Team: Jim Meskimen
CAPCOM: Brett Cullen
Flight Surgeon: Christian Clemenson

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