We have an insight..
50yrs on, new Apollo 13 images are vivid window on the drama that gripped world
ASTRONAUT Fred Haise looks to be without a care in the world as he enjoys a nap in the Apollo 13 lunar module.
The image is astonishing because it was taken just hours after the crew of the stricken mission to the moon sent NASA the momentous line: “Houston, we’ve had a problem.”
The world watched with bated breath in 1970 as Haise, 35, and crewmates Jim Lovell, 42, and Jack Swigert, 38, carried out amazing feats of improvisation to get back to Earth.
And to mark the doomed mission’s 50th anniversary, digitally enhanced images give a new insight on how they coped amid the drama – while pulling off a feat that was truly out of this world.
Photography specialist Andy Saunders created the stills from low-quality 16mm film shot by the crew, merging layers down from frames.
The 45-year-old, from Cheshire, said: “We can see great detail in the lunar module, which was used as a “lifeboat”, including the cobbled-together CO2 filter.
“There are around 1,000 image samples in the panorama, taken from 36 separate frames of 16mm ‘movie’ footage.”
The mission, launched on April 11, was aborted after 56 hours when an oxygen tank exploded. It was Swigert who sent NASA the line that was delivered as “Houston, we have a problem” in hit 1995 film Apollo 13.
Within hours, the lunar lander section was being used as a lifeboat. NASA had to figure out how to stretch resources but carbon dioxide levels soon became dangerous – so they attached filter units from the command module to the lunar module, using plastic bags, cardboard and tape.
The new images show their handiwork – but also touching moments as they laugh together and play a music tape.
Apollo 13 landed safely on April 17 and Mr Saunders says the Covid-19 crisis adds further perspective to the story.
He said: “As we get to grips with self-isolation, we can better imagine the crew in the ultimate isolation: 200,000 miles from Earth in something the size of a car and running short of water and air.”
ORDEAL Jim’s wife Marilyn follows the drama at home
Pictures: NASA/ANDY SAUNDERS
STELLAR EFFORT How we covered their journey home
SPACE JAM
NO PROBLEM