Apollo 13

The astronaut who did not fly on the Apollo 13 mission is John W. Young. Apollo 13's crew consisted of Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert. Young was an astronaut known for his later missions, including Apollo 16, but he was not part of the Apollo 13 team.

The Apollo 13 mission cost approximately $10 billion in 1970s dollars, which translates to around $60 billion when adjusted for inflation to 2023. This figure includes the expenses related to the mission's development, launch, and the subsequent efforts to safely return the astronauts after the in-flight emergency. The mission is often noted for its significant engineering challenges and the successful crisis management that followed the explosion of an oxygen tank.

Apollo 13 was not a shuttle; it was part of NASA's Apollo program, which aimed to land humans on the Moon. The estimated total cost for the Apollo program, including Apollo 13, was around $25 billion in 1970s dollars. The specific mission of Apollo 13 incurred costs related to its development and operations, but exact figures for just that mission are not typically broken out separately.

The Apollo 13 coin, part of the U.S. Mint's commemorative coin series, typically had a retail price of around $35 to $50, depending on the specific coin and its condition. Limited edition coins or those in pristine condition may sell for higher prices in the collectibles market. For accurate pricing, it's best to check current listings from reputable coin dealers or auction sites.

Crew members were changed for Apollo 13 primarily due to health and safety concerns. Originally, Ken Mattingly was slated to fly but was exposed to German measles shortly before the mission, leading to his replacement by Jack Swigert to ensure crew health. This decision proved crucial, as the mission faced significant challenges that required teamwork and adaptability among the remaining crew members, which ultimately included Jim Lovell and Fred Haise.

Ken Mattingly was grounded from the Apollo 13 mission due to exposure to German measles, which he had not contracted but could pose a risk to the crew. As a precautionary measure, NASA replaced him with Jack Swigert, who had been a backup for the mission. This decision was made to ensure the health and safety of the astronauts during the critical lunar mission.

The first major problem in the Apollo 13 mission occurred when an oxygen tank in the service module exploded on April 13, 1970, just two days after launch. This explosion severely damaged the spacecraft's systems, leading to the loss of electrical power and the failure of life support systems. The crew, consisting of Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise, had to quickly devise a plan to conserve resources and return safely to Earth.

The broadcast of Apollo 13 was significantly impacted by the mission's critical situation following an oxygen tank explosion on April 13, 1970. The three astronauts—Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise—faced life-threatening challenges, and mission control focused on ensuring their safe return rather than on broadcasting. While some communications were transmitted to the public, much of the coverage was limited and focused on updates from NASA about the crew's status and the efforts to bring them home safely. The event highlighted the tension and drama of space exploration, ultimately leading to a successful rescue despite the unforeseen challenges.

Apollo 13 traveled for a total of approximately 5 days, 22 hours, and 54 minutes from its launch on April 11, 1970, to its safe splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 17, 1970. The mission was originally intended to land on the Moon, but an in-flight emergency forced the crew to focus on returning safely to Earth instead. Despite the challenges, the mission is often regarded as a "successful failure" due to the effective problem-solving that led to the crew's safe return.

Jim Lovell was not allowed to command the Apollo 13 mission due to a serious medical issue. He had been exposed to a viral infection that caused him to experience significant health complications, leading NASA to replace him with Jack Swigert as the command module pilot. This decision was made to ensure the safety and success of the mission, as Lovell's health was a concern. Ultimately, Lovell still played a crucial role as the commander during the mission despite these challenges.

The oxygen tank on Apollo 13 burst on April 13, 1970, during the mission's third day in space. The explosion occurred about 56 hours after launch, leading to a critical failure that resulted in the loss of the service module's oxygen supply and power. This incident prompted the crew to execute emergency procedures and ultimately led to a successful return to Earth despite significant challenges.

The original Apollo 13 crew consisted of Commander Jim Lovell, Command Module Pilot Jack Swigert, and Lunar Module Pilot Fred Haise. They were scheduled to land on the Moon in April 1970, but an oxygen tank explosion en route forced them to abort the lunar landing. Despite the challenges, the crew successfully returned to Earth after a harrowing mission.

In the original Apollo 13 mission plans, astronaut Ken Mattingly was set to fly as the command module pilot. However, he was bumped from the mission due to concerns about possible exposure to German measles, as he had not had the vaccine and one of his crewmates had been exposed. He was replaced by Jack Swigert, who later played a crucial role in the mission's successful return to Earth after an in-flight emergency.

Right after launch, the Apollo 13 engines, specifically the Saturn V's first stage (S-IC), ignited and propelled the spacecraft through the initial phase of its ascent. Approximately 2 minutes and 41 seconds into the flight, the first stage completed its burn and was jettisoned, allowing the second stage (S-II) to ignite and continue the ascent into space. This staged separation is critical for efficiently managing fuel and weight as the spacecraft travels beyond Earth's atmosphere.

Apollo 13 needed to find 28 amps of electrical power to safely operate its systems after an explosion damaged the service module. The crew had to carefully manage their power usage, relying on the Lunar Module's systems for life support and navigation, which provided the necessary power. The successful conservation and management of power were crucial to the mission's safe return.

After Apollo 13, three astronauts who tragically lost their lives were the crew of Apollo 1: Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. They died in a cabin fire during a pre-launch test on January 27, 1967. Their deaths led to significant changes in NASA's safety protocols and spacecraft design.

Apollo 13 re-entered Earth's atmosphere at a speed of approximately 24,000 miles per hour (about 39,000 kilometers per hour). This high velocity was due to the spacecraft's orbital dynamics and gravitational pull as it returned from the Moon. The spacecraft experienced intense heat and pressure during re-entry, requiring a special heat shield to protect it. Ultimately, Apollo 13 safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 17, 1970.

When the Apollo 13 spacecraft goes behind the Moon, it loses radio contact with mission control on Earth. This brief period of silence lasts for about 30 minutes while the spacecraft is in the Moon's shadow, making it impossible for the astronauts to communicate or receive instructions. During this time, the crew focuses on critical systems and preparations for their lunar flyby and return journey to Earth. The loss of communication heightens the tension and uncertainty surrounding the mission's success.

In "Apollo 13," the phrase "put a square peg in a round hole" metaphorically represents the challenge of adapting solutions to fit a complex problem. The mission control team needed to avoid making assumptions and instead focus on innovative, practical solutions using the limited resources available. They had to ensure that the modifications to the CO2 scrubber system would work effectively in the confined and high-stakes environment of the spacecraft. Ultimately, teamwork and creativity were essential to overcoming these challenges.

The head of mission control for Apollo 13 was Flight Director Gene Kranz. He played a crucial role in managing the crisis after the spacecraft experienced an oxygen tank explosion, leading the team in Houston to develop solutions that ultimately helped bring the crew safely back to Earth. Kranz was known for his leadership and calm demeanor under pressure during the mission.

In Apollo 13, Jim Lovell faced several critical problems, including a major oxygen tank explosion that compromised the spacecraft's life support system. This incident forced the crew to conserve power and resources while devising a strategy to safely return to Earth. Additionally, they encountered challenges with communication and navigation, as they had to rely on limited instruments and manual calculations due to the damaged systems. The psychological pressure of ensuring the crew's safety while managing these crises was also a significant challenge for Lovell.

Apollo 13 faced a critical problem when an oxygen tank exploded in space, leading to a loss of electrical power and essential life-support systems. This incident occurred approximately 56 hours into the mission, forcing the crew and mission control to work together to develop a plan for safely returning to Earth. The situation was dire, but through ingenuity and teamwork, they managed to use the lunar module as a "lifeboat" to conserve resources and navigate back home successfully. Despite the severe challenges, all three astronauts returned safely.

The TV networks did not extensively cover the launch of Apollo 13 largely due to the focus on other events, including the ongoing Vietnam War and the popularity of other television programming at the time. Additionally, Apollo 13 was seen as a follow-up mission without the same level of public excitement as Apollo 11, which had achieved the historic moon landing. As a result, the networks prioritized their schedules over live coverage of the launch.

The failure of Apollo 13 highlighted the inherent risks and complexities of space exploration, underscoring the need for rigorous safety protocols and contingency planning. The near-disastrous mission demonstrated that technical malfunctions could jeopardize astronauts' lives, potentially leading to a reevaluation of mission designs and risk assessments. Additionally, public perception of space travel could have been negatively impacted, causing concerns about future missions and funding. Ultimately, while Apollo 13 was a testament to human ingenuity and problem-solving, it served as a sobering reminder of the challenges faced in space exploration.

The original crew of Apollo 13 consisted of Commander Jim Lovell, Command Module Pilot John Swigert, and Lunar Module Pilot Fred Haise. Jim Lovell had previously flown on Apollo 8 and Apollo 11, while John Swigert and Fred Haise were making their first spaceflight. However, due to a change in the crew before launch, Ken Mattingly, who was initially assigned as Command Module Pilot, was replaced by Swigert after he was exposed to German measles.