The cabin is filled with floating helmets and gloves in zero gravity, as the astronauts play with these drifting items in the Command Module.

The smoky contrail of the launch hangs in the Florida sky.

“Oh boy,” says Marilyn Lovell, “I hope I can sleep.”

“Mom,” says Margaret Haise, “That was loud!”

“Here, hold my hand,” says Mary Haise.  A crowd of VIPs may their way to their cars.

“I can’t believe you did this four times,” says Mary to Marilyn.

“The worst part’s over,” says Marilyn.

“It is?” asks Mary.

“Listen,” says Marilyn, “This doesn’t end for me until he lands on that aircraft carrier.”

“Aw,” says Mary Haise, “You just look so calm about it!”

“Well, if the flight surgeon had to okay me for this mission, I’d be grounded,” replies Marilyn.

A crowd of journalists swarm after them. “Mrs. Lovell! Mrs. Haise!” they shout. “Can we just have a word with you?”

“Remember!” says Marilyn “You’re ‘proud, happy, and thrilled!'”

“How are you feeling?” asks a reporter.

“Well, we’re very proud,” says Mary Haise, “and we’re very happy, and we’re thrilled!”

A first quarter Moon is eclipsed in the sky by the Apollo-Saturn rocket headed for the Moon.

“Flight, Booster – I show S-IV-B shutdown,” says Booster.

“TLI-” begins FIDO.

IN THIS MINUTE:

Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks