Facts about Apollo 13

Apollo 13 Summary

The Apollo 13 lunar mission was launched by NASA on April 11, 1970, at CST 13:13. However, the mission was aborted two days later, due to a faulty electrical system and an explosion in one of the two service module oxygen tanks. Although the command module retained functionality, the battery power and oxygen available to the command module were enough only to be used during the final count-down. Using the lunar module as a life-boat, the crew managed to return safely to earth, in spite of limited power, decreased cabin heat and an acute shortage of water.

Crew

The Apollo 13 crew comprised:

• Commander James A. Lovell, Jr.
• Command Module Pilot John L. Swigert
• Lunar Module Pilot Fred W. Haise, Jr.
• Backup crew Commander John W. Young
• Backup crew Command Module Pilot John L. Swigert
• Backup crew Lunar Module Pilot Charles M. Duke, Jr
• Support crew members Vance D. Brand, Jack R. Lousma and Joseph P. Kerwin
• Flight directors Gene Kranz, Milt Windler, Glynn Lunney and Gerry Griffin

Apollo 13 Facts

• Facts about Apollo 13 highlight the mission parameters of the launch, with readings of CM 28,945 kg; LM 15,235 kg mass; perigee and apogee of 181.5 km and 185.6 km, respectively and an inclination of 33.5°.
• Though Ken Mattingly was originally supposed to pilot the command module, he succumbed to rubella or German measles exposure. Mattingly was replaced by John L. Swigert just 48 hours prior to the launch. Laboratory tests later revealed that Mattingly had not contracted rubella.
• NASA's Apollo 13 mission was primarily to explore the Fra Mauro formation on the moon. This study of the widespread, hilly selenological region cost $4.4 billion. However, after the abortion of the mission, the study was then taken up by the crew aboard the Apollo 14.
• Apollo 13 was originally set on a free return trajectory. This would have enabled the crew to benefit from an automatic return to earth, without the need for engine firing. However, the desired Fra Mauro landing required the elimination of this system. Nevertheless, the crew actually performed the free return trajectory with the help of the descent propulsion system.
• Among the many limitations that the crew had to make do with, were lifeboat consumables, oxygen supply, lithium hydroxide to remove carbon dioxide and survival power level. The Apollo 13 investigation revealed that the heater and protection thermostat were changed to 65 volts from the original 28-volt DC bus, with the intention of aiding the pressurization within the tanks more rapidly. The thermostat was never upgraded to accommodate the higher voltage.
• The controls in the command module are now on display at the Cosmosphere, Kansas. The interior components were available for viewing at the Museum of Natural History and Science, Kentucky, until a decade ago. Jim Lovell's space suit is currently on display at the Museum of Science and Industry, City of Chicago.

Apollo 13 Accident

The initial malfunction began during the second-stage boost. The center engine shut off 120 seconds earlier to avoid a collision with the pogo oscillations. The 16 hertz, 68g vibrations resulted in flexing the frame of thrust by 76 mm. The other four outboard engines were made to burn longer and this caused pressure fluctuations and eventually an engine shutdown. The crew used a helium gas reservoir to dampen the pressure oscillations, but at a distance of 321,860 kilometers from Earth, an oxygen tank exploded. The damaged insulation resulted in a fire and the tank dome failed. The crew used the moon's gravity to return to Earth.