BETA
Chapter 1
The birth of Mission Control
Chapter 2
The Apollo 11 triumph
Chapter 3
The Apollo 13 rescue
Chapter 4
Modern Mission Control and the future
YOUR GOAL
Master of Inside NASA mission control
Ch 3 · The Apollo 13 rescue
hank Mission Control used the Moon's gravity as a natural slingshot to whip the crew back home.
hank Engineers on Earth had to build a carbon dioxide filter using only items found on board.
Fun Fact
The duct tape hack: The plastic bag and cardboard CO2 filter hack designed by Mission Control saved the Apollo 13 crew from suffocating on their own breath.
Glossary
lifeboat (noun)
A small vessel carried on a ship for use in saving lives in an emergency. In April 1970, astronauts utilized the lunar module Aquarius as a temporary survival vessel to return home.
A small vessel carried on a ship for use in saving lives in an emergency. In April 1970, astronauts utilized the lunar module Aquarius as a temporary survival vessel to return home.
Quiz
What orbital maneuver did Mission Control use to swing Apollo 13 back toward Earth using lunar gravity?
Quiz
Where was the giant radio dish located that helped track Apollo 13's weak signals in the southern hemisphere?
Quiz
Which spacecraft did the Apollo 13 crew use as a temporary lifeboat to survive the journey home?
Quiz
What household adhesive was critical to building the makeshift CO2 filter adapter on Apollo 13?
Quiz
Which flight director led the immediate shift team that stabilized Apollo 13 right after the explosion?