Houston

These are a variation of the first words spoken from the Apollo 13 spacecraft to Mission Control in Houston following the explosion of an oxygen tank in the service module caused by an electrical and overheating problem. The astronauts had heard and felt the explosion and had seen the warning light on their console. This triggered a successful international effort to return the three astronauts alive to Earth. The saying gained popularity after the 1995 movie about the mission.

Both the Command Module pilot Jack Swigert and the Commander Jim Lovell made calls to the Capcom Charlie Duke in Mission Control using almost the same wording. Here is the transcript of the actual dialogue.

Swigert: 'Okay, Houston, we've had a problem here.'

Duke: 'This is Houston. Say again please.'

Lovell: 'Houston, we've had a problem. We've had a main B bus undervolt.'

If you would like to read the details of this mission and the rescue efforts, see the Web Link 'Apollo 13' to the left.

Occupation: Engineer -- Plastics manufacturing

Education: Lamar University, B.S., Industrial Engineering, 1968

Legislative Experience: Senate Member, 2007 - present

Hometown: Jacksonville, Texas

Party: Republican First elected to the Texas Senate in 2006, Robert Nichols represents 16 counties including the greater part of East Texas and Montgomery County. Nichols serves as vice chair of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee and sits on the Transportation and Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, and Nominations Committees. Drawing from his eight years of experience as a Texas transportation commissioner, Nichols spearheaded major transportation reforms during the 80th Legislative Session, his first session as a senator. He also authored or sponsored significant legislation to protect homeowners, reduce Medicaid fraud, prevent child fatalities, and stiffen penalties for crimes to conceal murder. He was honored as a "fighter for free enterprise" by the Texas Association of Business. Nichols is a small businessman from Jacksonville, Texas. He married his high school sweetheart, Donna, and they are the proud parents of three children: Brittney, Joshua, and Collynn'rae. Nichols currently serves as a board member for Lon Morris College, the East Texas Medical Center, and the Nan Travis Hospital Foundation, and he is a member of the First United Methodist Church in Jacksonville. Note: For information regarding introductions for Sen. Nichols, please contact Alicia Phillips at (512) 463-0103 or alicia.phillips@senate.state.tx.us.