Apollo 13 Minute Podcast

Marilyn, Susan, and Barbara Lovell are visiting Jim Lovell’s mother, Blanch, at the nursing home.

“I was gonna see Jimmy,” says Blanch, pointing at the TV.

“I know,” says Marilyn. “I know. We came to…

Everyone in Mission Control is relieved that the CO2 scrubber improvisation is working.

Back in the Command Module simulator, Ken Mattingly is piecing together a reentry sequence power-up.

“Okay, spa…

The makeshift CO2 scrubber has been attached to the LM.

Lovell looks at Swigert and Haise. “Just breathe normal, fellas,” he says to them.

“Aquarius, please advise on CO2 status,” says CAPCOM.

” Yeah…

Swigert watches Haise and Lovell assembling the CO2 scrubber.

Meanwhile, in the Haise household, Mary Haise sits with several children and family and friends. ABC’s Jules Bergman is reporting on tele…

A news anchor explains that the CO2 scrubbers “are quickly becoming saturated.”

On board Aquarius, Jim Lovell coughs as he helps assemble the makeshift scrubber.

Fred looks at a rip in one of the bag…

Andy, the CAPCOM, continues explaining the construction of the carbon dioxide scrubber to the crew.

“Canisters, I’m sorry,” says Andy. “A roll of gray tape.”

“Duct tape,” corrects the technician.

“Th…

Swigert looks at Haise and Lovell, after hearing that the CO2 use was only calculated for two astronauts.

“Maybe I should just hold my breath,” says Swigert.

Back in Houston, the engineers have devis…

Swigert, Lovell, and Haise are having a loud discussion.

“I just asked you what the gauge was reading!” says Haise

“All right,” begins Lovell.

“And you don’t know!” yells Haise.

“All right,” says Lov…

Lovell, Haise, and Swigert are in the Lunar Module. Swigert is expressing his concerns.

“You think they would tell us?” asks Swigert. “There’s no reason for them to tell us!”

“What you mean they’re n…

Haise and Lovell are laughing about Haise’s symptoms.

“That’s another first for America’s space program,” says Lovell.

“Listen,” says Haise, “um, I’ve been going over some stuff, and I’m a little wor…

Jim Lovell and Fred Haise are discussing Mary Haise’s pregnancy while floating in the Lunar Module.

“Wonder if it’s a boy or a girl?” says Haise.

“You’re gonna find out soon enough,” says Lovell.

“Su…

Jim Lovell floats down the docking port from the Command Module.

“Hey Freddo,” says Lovell, pointing back through the docking port. “It’s too cold back there.”

Haise turns off the cassette player tha…

Marilyn Lovell is discussing the media request for putting a transmitter on the Lovell front lawn.

“Look,” says Henry, the Public Affairs Officer for NASA, “I , um, I realize how hard this is, Marily…

The engineers look at the equipment on the table.

“Okay, let’s get it organized,” says an engineer.

“Let’s build a filter,” says another engineer.

“Better get some coffee going, too,” says another en…

In the Mission Control Center, two controllers and the Flight Surgeon approach Gene Kranz’s station.

“Gene,” says one of the controllers, “we’ve got another situation brewing with the carbon dioxide.…

In the Lunar Module, Lovell and Haise are listening to Mission Control. Swigert floats in the  Command Module tunnel, eating dinner out of a plastic bag.

“Forward Omni when Earth’s in the window, and…

“How many amps do we have to play with?” asks an engineer.

“Barely enough to run this coffee pot for nine hours, ” replies John Aaron. “Go,” says Aaron to his microphone.

“Yeah, Ken Mattingly just go…

Gene Kranz wants the ship back “with time to spare.”

“We’ve never lost an American in space,” says Kranz, “We’re sure not gonna lose one on my watch! Failure is not an option!”

In Mattingly’s apartme…

John Aaron is explaining all the systems that need to be turned off.

“– heater, instrument displays, the guidance computer, the whole smack,” says Aaron.

“Whoa, guidance computer?” asks EECOM Gold. “…

Swigert and Haise look at Lovell.

“Let’s go home,” says Lovell.

“Aquarius we’ve got some PC+2 burn data for you fellas…” says Capcom.

Back in the conference room, Gene Kranz is writing numbers on a b…