Aug 29

Space Rocket History #268 – Apollo 13 – “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” – Part 3

As near as Lovell could tell, it would be a while before the ship’s endgame would play out. He had no way of calculating the leak rate in the tank, but if the moving needle was any indication, he had a couple hours at least before the 318 pounds of oxygen were gone.

Location of major electrical power subsystem equip.

Electrical power subsystem components in CM lower equip. bay

Hydrogen Cryogenic tank

Aug 23

Space Rocket History #267 – Apollo 13 – “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” – Part 2

By the time Flight Director Kranz heard Lovell’s report, of “Houston, we’ve had a problem. ” three controllers had reported related problems. Kranz was wondering which problem Lovell was reporting, as he started relaying the long list of warning indications from the spacecraft displays.

Gene Kranz Lead Flight Director for Apollo 13

EECOM, Sy Liebergot

CapCom, Jack Lousma

Aug 16

Space Rocket History #266 – Apollo 13 – “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” – Part 1

Swigert: I believe we’ve had a problem here!

CapComm: This is Houston. Say again, please.

Lovell: Houston, we’ve had a problem.

Section of Apollo CM main panel. H2 and O2 fan switches circled.

Section of Apollo CM Control panel. Main Bus A and B Undervolt lights circled.

Section of Apollo CM Control Panel. Cryogenic Tank Level indicators circled.

Aug 09

Space Rocket History #265 – Apollo 13 – Translunar Coast – The Calm Before the Storm

As Lovell prepared for the thruster adjustments, Haise finished closing down the LEM and drifted through the tunnel back toward the command module and Swigert threw the switch to stir all 4 cryogenic tanks.

Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo spacecraft comparison

Apollo Service Module diagram

Image from the unaired Apollo 13 TV show just before the problem occurred