HISTORY This Week: "Houston We’ve Had a Problem” (feat. Captain Jim Lovell)
Release Date: April 14, 2025
Host/Author: The HISTORY® Channel | Back Pocket Studios

Introduction: The Apollo 13 Crisis

In the episode titled "Houston We’ve Had a Problem," HISTORY This Week delves into the harrowing yet triumphant tale of the Apollo 13 mission. Hosted by Sally Helm, the episode features firsthand accounts from Captain Jim Lovell, one of NASA's most esteemed astronauts. The narrative captures the intensity of the mission, the unforeseen challenges faced by the crew, and the extraordinary teamwork that ensured their safe return.

Jim Lovell: From Dreams to Space

Timestamp [03:10]

Jim Lovell reflects on his journey to becoming an astronaut:

Jim Lovell: "Well, my name of course is Captain Jim Lovell. I was on Apollo 13."

Lovell's passion for space began in his childhood during the 1940s, a period when space exploration was a novel concept. Unable to afford college despite aspirations to study rocket science, Lovell joined the Navy and became a pilot. His persistence paid off when NASA sought military pilots for their astronaut program. Initially, Lovell faced setbacks, including failing a physical due to high bilirubin levels, but he secured a second chance by concealing this information from NASA, ultimately passing the physical and embarking on his storied space career.

The Apollo Program: Building to the Moon

Timestamp [05:04] – [09:04]

Lovell participated in several key missions, including a two-week spaceflight to test human endurance in zero gravity and preparatory missions leading up to Apollo 13. The Apollo program faced tragedies, such as the Apollo 1 fire, but persevered toward President Kennedy's goal of landing a man on the moon. By Apollo 13, Lovell was appointed commander, leading a three-man crew aboard the spacecraft named Odyssey and the lunar module Aquarius.

Launch and Initial Success

Timestamp [11:37] – [15:01]

Apollo 13 launched smoothly at 13:13 on April 11, 1970. Lovell, confident from his previous spaceflights, felt prepared as the mission aimed to explore a geologically rich area on the moon. The crew conducted routine checks and maneuvers, including a critical free return trajectory maneuver that would later play a pivotal role in their survival.

The Crisis: Explosion and Its Aftermath

Timestamp [15:18] – [17:16]

During a routine stir of the cryo tanks to maintain oxygen levels and generate power, an explosion rocked the spacecraft:

Jim Lovell [16:41]: "I'm losing all my oxygen. One of the tanks must have exploded somehow. We had to do something."

This critical failure forced the crew to abort their lunar landing and repurpose the lunar module as a lifeboat. With limited oxygen, power, and resources, Lovell and his team faced the daunting challenge of navigating back to Earth without the usual support systems.

Mission Control: Ingenuity Under Pressure

Timestamp [20:16] – [24:08]

Back on Earth, Mission Control in Houston orchestrated a rescue operation. Engineers and scientists devised makeshift solutions to fit square carbon dioxide canisters into the lunar module's round ports using available materials:

Jim Lovell: "Hose, duct tape, and an old sock. And by gosh, that was the one thing that kept us from dying."

This ingenuity was crucial in sustaining the crew's life support systems. Additionally, the team worked tirelessly to adjust the spacecraft's trajectory, ensuring they remained on a path to return safely.

Navigating Through Adversity: Steering the Ship

Timestamp [19:07] – [27:18]

With the command module compromised, Lovell manually steered Aquarius using a sextant for celestial navigation, a technique akin to that used by ancient sea captains. Despite floating debris from the explosion complicating sightings, Lovell successfully realigned the spacecraft onto a free return trajectory.

Jim Lovell: "We were superstitious, this is the spacecraft for you. Because all sorts of little things happened on 13 that you wouldn't think possible. But it did."

As they looped around the moon, the crew encountered another critical issue: rising carbon dioxide levels. The lunar module's life support systems were inadequate for three men over four days. The team devised a solution by adapting command module filters to fit the lunar module's ports, ensuring breathable air for the astronauts.

Reentry and Safe Splashdown

Timestamp [27:37] – [29:04]

With limited resources and precise calculations, the Apollo 13 crew began reentry procedures. The communication blackout during reentry was prolonged due to an unexpected ionization shell around the spacecraft caused by the damaged heat shield.

Jim Lovell: "The heat shield starts flaking off and flames. And it forms a sphere of gas around the spacecraft that prevents communication."

Despite these challenges, the crew successfully reentered Earth's atmosphere and splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean, being retrieved by the USS Iwo Jima. The mission, though it did not achieve its original objective of landing on the moon, became a testament to human resilience and problem-solving under extreme pressure.

Reflections and Legacy

Timestamp [30:02] – [30:44]

Captain Lovell shared profound insights on the mission's significance:

Jim Lovell: "The best thing that could have happened to NASA was for 13 to have the explosion. It showed what could be done in cooperation and good leadership and teamwork to work together in a bad situation."

Apollo 13 not only ensured the safety of its crew but also revitalized public interest in NASA's Apollo program, highlighting the importance of teamwork and ingenuity in overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Conclusion: A Milestone in Space Exploration

The "Houston We’ve Had a Problem” episode encapsulates the dramatic events of Apollo 13, offering listeners an in-depth look at the mission's challenges and the heroic efforts of both the astronauts and Mission Control. Through Jim Lovell's candid recounting, the episode underscores the enduring human spirit and the collaborative prowess that turned a potential tragedy into a historic victory.

Production Credits:
Produced by McCamey, Lynn, Julie Magruder, Ben Dickstein, and Sally Helm. Edited and designed by Dan Rosado with research by Emma Fredericks. Executive produced by Jesse Katz and Ted Butler. Special thanks to John Urie, NASA scientist and historian.

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