Apollo 13: Survival
Available now for streaming on Netflix, the documentary Apollo 13: Survival offers an in-depth and compelling recounting of one of NASA’s most perilous and heroic space missions. Through vivid archival footage, expert interviews, and detailed reenactments, viewers are taken on a journey through the tense moments that defined Apollo 13’s voyage from launch to the miraculous safe return of its crew. This film not only chronicles the technical failures but also highlights the resilience, ingenuity, and indomitable spirit of the astronauts and ground control team who faced overwhelming odds.
Table of Contents
- Did the Apollo 13 Spacecraft Have a Successful Launch?
- What Went Wrong During the Apollo 13 Mission?
- How Did the Astronauts Manage to Survive?
Did the Apollo 13 Spacecraft Have a Successful Launch?
The documentary begins with the historic launch on April 11, 1970, capturing the electric atmosphere at Cape Kennedy as NASA prepared for its third lunar mission. Following the triumphs of Apollo 11 and Apollo 12, NASA was eager to demonstrate continued space exploration prowess with Apollo 13. Despite a widespread superstition surrounding the number 13—considered unlucky by many—NASA proceeded with confidence, even scheduling the launch at 7:13 PM to challenge superstition and showcase their boldness.
The mission commander, Jim Lovell, was a highly experienced astronaut with a distinguished career in the US Navy. Having flown multiple missions before, Lovell was driven by a strong sense of duty and a desire to achieve the ultimate goal: landing on the moon. The documentary delves into Lovell’s personal life, portraying his unwavering dedication and the deep commitment to his family, especially his wife, Marilyn, who believed this would be his final journey into space.
Accompanying Lovell were Fred Haise, the Lunar Module Pilot with a passion for aviation that shifted from journalism to the stars, and Ken Mattingly, a brilliant scholar and top contender for the crew. However, due to a last-minute illness, Mattingly was replaced by backup astronaut Jack Swigert, whose journey exemplified perseverance and dedication to the mission.
What Went Wrong During the Apollo 13 Mission?
The launch itself was successful, but the mission took a sudden turn for the worse shortly after liftoff. Within minutes, the spacecraft’s central and fifth engines malfunctioned, raising immediate alarms. As Apollo 13 entered orbit, the crew encountered critical technical issues that jeopardized the entire mission. About 55 hours after launch and approximately 200,000 nautical miles from Earth, warning alarms erupted, indicating a severe malfunction.
The astronauts soon discovered that a significant gas or liquid leak was compromising the spacecraft’s integrity, compounded by a malfunctioning pressure sensor in the service module. This leak resulted in the catastrophic failure of the service module, transforming the mission from a lunar landing to a desperate attempt at rescue. The spacecraft’s trajectory was altered, drifting farther from Earth than initially planned, which complicated rescue efforts. Later investigations revealed that a pre-launch miscalculation had contributed to the damage, putting the crew’s lives in imminent danger.
How Did the Astronauts Manage to Survive?
The most gripping and inspiring segment of Apollo 13: Survival revolves around the astronauts’ resourcefulness after the explosion. With the lunar landing canceled, the crew had to adapt quickly to ensure their safe return. They performed a lunar orbit maneuver to gain enough momentum for a gravitational slingshot around the moon, which would direct them back towards Earth.
To conserve vital resources—power, oxygen, and water—they had to make difficult decisions, including shutting down systems and rationing supplies. The Lunar Module, originally intended as a landing craft, unexpectedly became their lifeboat, providing a safe haven amid the chaos. The crew faced additional dangers, such as the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from the spacecraft’s life-support systems.
As they re-entered Earth’s atmosphere, communication was temporarily lost due to atmospheric interference, creating a tense four-minute period of uncertainty. Just when hope seemed to fade, contact was reestablished, and the crew announced their successful splashdown in the South Pacific Ocean. All three astronauts—Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert—survived the ordeal, their story becoming a powerful symbol of human resilience and ingenuity.
Reflecting on the experience, Lovell emphasizes how the global response and collective hope for their safe return transcended national borders, inspiring countless individuals worldwide. Apollo 13: Survival captures not just a moment in space history but a testament to human courage, teamwork, and perseverance in the face of extraordinary adversity.