Oct 10

Space Rocket History #273 – Apollo 13 – Free Return – Part 3

Lovell toggled the “master arm” switch to On and glanced around to see if everything else was in order. Guidance control was set to “Primary Guidance”; thrust control was on “Auto”; engine gimbals were enabled; the propellant quantity, temperature, and pressure looked good; the ship was maintaining the correct attitude.

John Aaron – Steely Eyed Missle Man

Glynn Lunney – Flight Director

Gerry Griffin – Flight Director

Sep 26

Space Rocket History #271 – Apollo 13 – Free Return – Part 1

Kraft wanted to fire the descent engine now, get the ship back on its free-return slingshot course, and when it emerged from behind the moon and reached the PC+2 point, execute any maneuvers that might be required to refine the trajectory or increase its speed.

Apollo 13 explosion by Alan Bean

Jerry Bostick – FIDO

Chuck Deiterich – RETRO

Sep 20

An Encore Presentation of Space Rocket History #183 – Apollo 9 – Lunar Module Maneuvers Part 4

When Scott tried to release the lunar module, he did not hold the button long enough so the lander got hung on the capture latches.

LM in lunar landing configuration. Photographed from CM

LM in lunar landing configuration. Photographed from CM

McDivitt & Schweickart show Spider's landing gear to Scott before they pull away

McDivitt & Schweickart show Spider’s landing gear to Scott before they pull away

LM ascent stage photographed from the CM

LM ascent stage photographed from the CM