Overview:
With the passing of Jim Lovell, the Apollo 13 mission from 1970 is being remembered. It was a voyage that, while originally targeting the Moon, encountered great problems. This is the story of Apollo 13 and its impact on space travel, culture, and the world.
“Houston, we have a problem.” That is said a lot, and it has become part of many people’s vocabulary. However, like with many catchphrases, it’s often debated whether or not most people who say it even know the significance of its origins. It comes from the Apollo 13 mission.
The world was taking the sad news as it is reporting that James ‘Jim’ A. Lovell Jr., one of the crew members of Apollo 13, passed away this week. The passing of Jim Lovell served as a reminder of that mission.
Apollo 13
Launched on April 11, 1970, Apollo 13, one of the Apollo space program’s missions, was supposed to be the third to land on the Moon.
In the year prior, the world had witnessed the monumental event of the first landing on the Moon with Apollo 11.
With Apollo 13 being the third space exploration intended to place human beings on the Moon’s soil, you can guarantee that this shuttle’s crew was excited. Three astronauts, Fred Haise, the late John “Jack” Swigert, and the recently departed Jim Lovell, set out to become part of history. However, they encountered vast problems.
Problems with Apollo 13
Just two days into the voyage, an oxygen tank blew up. It was ironic that the date on which it occurred was the same as the mission number. This changed the course of things.
The explosion crippled the command module’s electrical and life-support systems.
According to an online article from NASA titled “50 Years Ago: Houston, We’ve Had a Problem” by John Uri from the Johnson Space Center, John Swigert first reported the problem to Mission Control in Houston, saying, “Okay, Houston, we’ve had a problem here.” Then, Jim Lovell rephrased the message, saying, “Ah, Houston, we’ve had a problem here.” The phrase most people use, “Houston, we have a problem,” is different.
Navigating
The Apollo 13 crew put their heads together to survive the explosion of the oxygen tank. They shut down the damaged Command Module (CM) to conserve power and essential resources. According to NASA, the Lunar Module (LM) was constructed to land on the Moon. But it was turned into a lifeboat that provided propulsion and life support for the trip back. Following guidelines from Houston, the astronauts drastically reduced their consumption of oxygen, water, and power. However, the LM’s lithium hydroxide canisters, which filter carbon dioxide, would not last long enough to support the entire journey.
To counter the problem of the CM’s navigation systems, the three astronauts used the LM’s propulsion system and celestial navigation. They utilized the sun and stars to maintain their course for Earth. According to an online BBC article titled “Jim Lovell, Apollo 13 astronaut, dies aged 97,” Jim Lovell had brought a sextant with him on Apollo 13. He used it to take star readings in case the computers broke down and they had to find their own route.
After further mishaps and confusion about where to land, Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert all made it back to Earth. Ironically, while Apollo 13 had originally aimed to land on the moon, the crew ended up using the sun as their navigation point.
The Aftermath
Despite safely returning home, the Apollo 13 crew had experienced various challenges. These include dehydration, extreme cold, and loss of oxygen and power, among other things.
As much as the Apollo 13 mission was a historical event in time, it’s also important to consider how it changed space exploration and society.
Changes to Space Exploration
As you can probably imagine, one of the major changes to space exploration that the Apollo 13 mission prompted was enhanced safety. The many revisions that resulted included redesigning oxygen tanks and modifying thermostats. They also discontinued the process of stirring oxygen tanks. Additionally, it bolstered the measures of emergency communication between mission control and the crew. According to an online article on Ars Technica titled “A deep dive into the Apollo Guidance Computer, and the hack that saved Apollo 14” by Frank O’Brien, the experience from Apollo 13 led to software updates on the Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC). This instrument played a role in demonstrating the first digital fly-by-wire system for aircraft using a reprogrammed AGC.
Cultural Impact of Apollo 13
Numerous books, articles, and films have retold the story of Apollo 13 over the past 55 years since its return from space. Arguably, the most notable is the movie “Apollo 13” from 1995, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. In the film, Tom Hanks played Jim Lovell, while the late Bill Paxton portrayed Fred Haise. Kevin Bacon played Jack Swigert.
Critics loved “Apollo 13,” and the movie did well at the box office. It arguably boosted public interest in space exploration. It also gave rise to a new generation of engineers and scientists. Recently, it was announced that “Apollo 13” would return to IMAX theaters in honor of the 30th anniversary of its release.
Ongoing Significance
The increase in space exploration safety and technological advancements in spacecraft that we see today was influenced by what happened on April 13, 1970. Following Apollo 13, numerous launches have occurred. Not every launch aimed to reach the Moon. However, many of them owe their safety protocol and structural design to the lessons learned on that day in space travel.
The problems and eventual successes of the Apollo 13 mission had an effect on more than just space travel and entertainment. It also taught the globe some important truths about life.
The way Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise worked together shows that people can get through tough times. They do it for their own good and the good of their country. Before people go out exploring, even if it is just a hike, they can observe how the Apollo 13 crew overcame life-threatening challenges.
Looking to the Future from Looking Back at Apollo 13
The passing of Jim Lovell this week was a sad event. But it should also remind us of the Apollo 13 crew’s teamwork and perseverance. It also highlights the dedication that space explorers have shown since then and will continue to do so.
Next time someone says, “Houston, we have a problem,” think of the historical event in which it originated. It was an exploration that changed aspects of space travel and influenced pop culture. Most importantly, it told a tale of bravery.
Editor’s Disclaimer:
This article is from William to Presence News. The views expressed are his own. Presence News encourages diverse voices and perspectives and welcomes thoughtful, well-researched contributions from our writing team.
Articles used for paraphrasing:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cl7y8zq5xpno
