Inside the Apollo 13 crisis that shocked the world

The routine task that caused the Apollo 13 explosion

Mission control asks Apollo 13 to stir their cryogenic tanks, triggering an explosion and the famous call reporting a problem to Houston.

The Real Audio of Apollo 13's Famous Distress Call

Jim Lovell looks out the hatch window and observes gas venting into space, forcing ground control to realize they are losing life support.

The Chilling Moment Astronauts Saw Oxygen Venting into Space

From landing on the Moon to fighting to get home alive

Flight Director Gene Kranz orders mission control to stay calm while Jim Lovell realizes the mission is no longer about landing, but surviving.

Mission Control Takes Charge as the Lunar Landing Dies

Oxygen dropping to zero 200,000 miles from Earth

Astronaut Jim Lovell recounts watching the spacecraft oxygen gauge reach absolute zero, realizing the lunar module was their only chance to stay alive.

Watching Oxygen Drop to Zero in Deep Space

Three astronauts split manual controls to steer home

Jim Lovell explains the tense three-man coordinated engine burn required to steer their crippled spacecraft back onto an Earth return trajectory.

Three Astronauts Manually Fly a Disabled Ship

Engineering survival with duct tape and cardboard

Faced with rising carbon dioxide levels in the lunar module, engineers on Earth design a makeshift adapter from spacecraft supplies that successfully lowers CO2 levels.

Building a DIY Carbon Dioxide Scrubber in Space

In a situation like that, there is only one thing you can do.

Jim Lovell explains the psychological reality of facing lethal resource shortages during Apollo 13 and why the only viable option was to keep pushing forward.

The Astronaut Mindset When Hope Is Almost Lost

One whole side of the spacecraft is completely gone.

Upon jettisoning the damaged service module, the crew finally spots the catastrophic damage caused by the oxygen tank explosion.

Astronauts Shocked by Blown-Out Spacecraft Panel

Mission Control spots the Apollo 13 parachutes opening over the Pacific Ocean, triggering tears of relief and celebrations across the globe.

The Worldwide Relief of Apollo 13 Splashdown

[00:58] The Real Audio of Apollo 13's Famous Distress Call
[05:56] The Chilling Moment Astronauts Saw Oxygen Venting into Space
[06:54] Mission Control Takes Charge as the Lunar Landing Dies
[09:07] Watching Oxygen Drop to Zero in Deep Space
[11:52] Three Astronauts Manually Fly a Disabled Ship
[20:30] Building a DIY Carbon Dioxide Scrubber in Space
[22:06] The Astronaut Mindset When Hope Is Almost Lost
[22:42] Astronauts Shocked by Blown-Out Spacecraft Panel
[24:07] The Worldwide Relief of Apollo 13 Splashdown

Inside the Apollo 13 crisis that shocked the world

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