April 6, 2015 - Lucky 13

Lucky 13 When Apollo 13, seen here before launch, lifted off forty-five years ago this week, few thought it would become the most dangerous space mission in history. But four-fifths of the way to the Moon, a cryogenic oxygen tank in the service module ruptured, damaging two power-generating fuel cells and depleting vital oxygen. To conserve what little power and oxygen was left, all but the most essential systems were shut down, and astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise relied on their lunar module Aquarius as a lifeboat. Though it was designed to support two astronauts for two days on the lunar surface, Aquarius kept the three astronauts alive in space for almost four days. In reality, luck played only a small part in a mission that was saved by resourcefulness, courage, and determination.

Image credit: NASA

Weekly Calendar

April 6-12, 2015

Holidays - Sky Events - Space History

Monday 6

Easter Monday (Canada)

Uranus in conjunction with Sun

1965: Early Bird (Intelsat 1) launched
1984: STS-41C Challenger launched

Tuesday 7

1991: Compton Gamma Ray Observatory deployed
2001: Mars Odyssey Orbiter launched
2007: ISS Expedition 15 crew launched

Wednesday 8

Saturn 2° south of Moon
Jupiter appears stationary

1964: Gemini I launched
1966: OAO-1 launched
1993: STS-56 Discovery launched
2002: STS-110 Atlantis launched
2008: ISS Expedition 17 crew launched