As If there were not enough problems, Houston still had not completed the command module power up checklist.

The post Space Rocket History #286 – Apollo 13 – I Want My Power Up Checklist. Now! first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.

From beneath the Lunar Modules floor there was a thud, then a hiss, then another thump that vibrated through the cabin.

The post Space Rocket History #285 – Apollo 13 – More Problems first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.

Swigert counted down five, four, three, two, one.” Lovell pressed the big red engine button set in the bulkhead and once again felt the vibration below his feet. “Ignition,” Lovell said to his crew-mates.

The post Space Rocket History #284 – Apollo 13 – Mid-course Correction first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.

In the White House, President Nixon was very concerned for the Apollo 13 crew. Since Apollo 8’s successful lunar orbit, just one month before his inauguration, Nixon had developed a fascination with moon flight and a special admiration for the … Continue reading →

The post Space Rocket History #283 – Apollo 13 – Encouragement from the President first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.

At the manned spacecraft center in Houston, Don Arabian was in Building 45 when battery number two in Aquarius’ descent stage exploded.

The post Space Rocket History #282 – Apollo 13 – Battery #2 first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.

There was now cause for optimism in Mission Control. At the TELMU station, where the Lunar Module’s environmental signs were being continually monitored, the readings of the carbon dioxide concentrations aboard Aquarius were steadily dropping all day long.

The post Space Rocket History #281 – Apollo 13 – Homeward Bound first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.

Mariner 4’s primary objective was to conduct closeup scientific observations of Mars and to transmit these observations to Earth. Additional goals included performing field and particle measurements in interplanetary space, and providing experience and knowledge of engineering capabilities for interplanetary … Continue reading →

The post In Honor of NASA Mars Probe “InSight” – An Encore Presentation of Space Rocket History #46 – Mariner 4 first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.

In a healthy spacecraft, the CO2 meter should climb no higher than 2 or 3 millimeters of mercury. When it rose above 7, the crew was instructed to change their lithium hydroxide canisters. If it was allowed to rise above … Continue reading →

The post Space Rocket History #280 – Apollo 13 – Carbon Dioxide first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.

In the satellite room of the carrier Iwo Jima, the communications man sat back and removed his headset. He knew, that Apollo 13 was in fact coming their way.

The post Space Rocket History #279 – Apollo 13 – Leaving the Moon – Part 2 first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.