Minute 118: One Whole Side of the Spacecraft is Missing

Apollo 13 Minute Podcast

The detached Service Module rolls away from the Command Module.

Jack Swigert floats through the docking tunnel, carrying a camera.

“Okay, Houston, our Service Module is free,” says Lovell. “We’re gonna take a look at what we have here.”

“Copy that, says Mattingly.

“There it is. I see it,” says Haise, looking out the LM Pilot window. Lovell sees it as well, as the SM rolls its damaged side toward their windows.

“Oh, Houston,” says Lovell. “We’re getting our first look at the Service Module now. One whole side of the spacecraft is missing! Right by the high gain antenna — the whole panel is blown out. Right up — right up to our heatshield.”

Mission controllers listen intently.

“Uh, copy that, Aquarius,” says Mattingly.

“It looks like it got the engine bell, too. Can you see that?” asks Haise.

“Oh, man,” says Swigert, “That’s incredible.”

Mattingly looks at Slayton.

“The heatshield,” says Slayton.

On television, Jules Bergman holds a blowtorch to a model of a heat shield.

“The heat will build up to as much as three or four thousand degrees Fahrenheit,” says Bergman. “On a lunar re-entry flight, the heat approaches four thousand degrees.”

Neil Armstrong attempts to distract Blanch Lovell’s attention.

“So Blanch,” says Neil. “Blanch, did — did Jim make Eagle Scout or not?”

IN THIS MINUTE:

Jules Bergman as Himself

Max Elliott Slade as Jay Lovell

Kevin Bacon as Jack Swigert

Bill Paxton as Fred Haise

Tom Hanks as Jim Lovell

Gary Sinese as Ken Mattingly

Loren Dean as John Aaron

Clint Howard as Sy Liebergot

Ed Harris as Gene Kranz

Marc McClure as Glynn Lunney

Chris Ellis as Deke Slayton

Jean Speegle Howard as Blanch Lovell

Mark Wheeler as Neil Armstrong

Larry Williams as Buzz Aldrin