Jan 09

Space Rocket History #285 – Apollo 13 – More Problems

From beneath the Lunar Modules floor there was a thud, then a hiss, then another thump that vibrated through the cabin.

Jan 02

Space Rocket History #284 – Apollo 13 – Mid-course Correction

Swigert counted down five, four, three, two, one.” 
Lovell pressed the big red engine button set in the bulkhead and once again felt the vibration below his feet. 
“Ignition,” Lovell said to his crew-mates.

Arnold Aldrich
Ken Mattingly & Joe Kerwin
Vance Brand & Jack Lousma

Dec 26

Space Rocket History #283 – Apollo 13 – Encouragement from the President

In the White House, President Nixon was very concerned for the Apollo 13 crew. Since Apollo 8’s successful lunar orbit, just one month before his inauguration, Nixon had developed a fascination with moon flight and a special admiration for the crew of that first circumlunar trip.

A phone call from Nixon

The Lovell family

Apollo 8 Crew

Dec 19

Space Rocket History #282 – Apollo 13 – Battery #2

At the manned spacecraft center in Houston, Don Arabian was in Building 45 when battery number two in Aquarius’ descent stage exploded.

Supercritical Helium (SHe) Tank

LM power system with Battery 2 circled

Don Arabian in 2015