Apollo 13 Minute Podcast

GUEST: NASA FLIGHT DIRECTOR BILL REEVES   Lovell remains in his chair, after having told Ken Mattingly he’s no longer on the Apollo 13 crew. The scene shifts to Jack Swigert, manning the left seat in a Command Module simulator during a reentry sequence. “Trajectory is holding steady,” says Swigert, “We’re right on the line.” “Okay we’re into Program 64,” responds Lovell, ” We’re oh-five Gee so we’re feeling that gravity now.” “Houston,” says Haise, “we are at four hundred thousand feet, passing entry interface.” “Reentry data is nominal and we have radio blackout,” says the SIM operator. Deke Slayton watches the SIM controllers at their consoles. In the CM simulator, Swigert sees a warning. “What’s the story here?” says Swigert. He scans the panel and sees a deviation on the trajectory scope. “I got a corridor light. We’re coming in too shallow. I’m going to manual.” Haise looks questioningly at the decision. Swigert twists the controller sharply. “Houston, switching to SCS” says Haise. “Roger,” says the SIM CapCom. “Okay, we’re at three gees,” says Swigert, watching the dial. “Five gees. We’re coming in too steep. I’m gonna stay in this roll, see if I can pull us out. We’re at eight gees. Nine. Ten” Warnings start beeping. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Ken Mattingly: Gary Sinese Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Deke Slayton: Chris Ellis

GUEST: PODCASTER BRETT STILLO The woman steps into the bedroom, wearing a towel and drying her hair. Jack Swigert lets out a whoop in his bedroom. Back in the SIM room, Ken Mattingly is reacting to the news that he’s been bumped from the Apollo 13 crew. “Well,” he says, “I-uh, — damn. Medical guys! I had a feeling when they started doing all the blood tests, that, uh. I mean, I know it’s their ass if I get sick up there, but, mean — JESUS!” Lovell and Haise say nothing. “Oh boy,” says Mattingly. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Woman in Towel: Unknown Ken Mattingly: Gary Sinese Fred Haise: Bill Paxton

The Saturn V continues down the crawlerway. “Fredo and I are going to be going over the lunar experiments tomorrow,” says Lovell to Walter, the technician, “and Ken’s going to be back in the simulator. We’re going to be going over the flight plan tonight, as well.” He shakes hands with a pad technician. Pointing at the Saturn V, Lovell says, “We’re going to be paying a visit to this beautiful machine after you’re hard down!” A NASA car pulls up behind Lovell. Deke Slayton and the flight surgeon step out of the car. “Jim,” says Deke, “We’ve got a problem.” “I just got some blood work back from the lab,” says the flight surgeon, “Charlie Duke has the measles.” “So, we need a new backup,” says Lovell. “You’ve all been exposed to it,” says the flight surgeon. “Well, I’ve had the measles,” replies Lovell. “Ken Mattingly hasn’t,” says Deke. In the NASA Director’s office, Lovell continues the conversation. “You – you want to break up my crew, two days before the launch,” asks Lovell, “when we can predict each other’s moves and we can read the tone of each other’s voices?” “Ken Mattingly will be getting seriously ill precisely when you and Haise will be ascending from the lunar surface to rendezvous with him,” explains the flight surgeon. “Jim,” says Deke, “that’s a lousy time for a fever.” “Alright, now look,” replies Lovell, “Jack Swigert has been out of the loop for weeks.” “He’s fully qualified to fly this mission,” says the Director. “He’s a fine pilot,” says Lovell, “but when was the last time he was in a simulator?” “I’m sorry, Jim. I understand how you feel,” says the Director. “Now, we can do one of two things here -” IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Technician Walter: Walter von Huene Deke Slayton: Chris Ellis Flight Surgeon Dr. Chuck: Christian Clemenson NASA Director: Joe Spano

Marilyn Lovell just informed Jim that she doesn’t want to go to the launch. Inside a helicopter hangar, Jim Lovell walks out to the T-38 flight line. He passes by several airmen. “Jim!” says one of the airmen. “Hey guys!” Lovell responds. “See you in a few weeks!” “Take care!” says the other airman. “Bring us back a Moon rock!” In the back yard of the Lovell home, Marilyn is gardening. Jim’s plane soars high overhead. Marilyn watches as it disappears behind her backyard trees. She looks wistfully at her garden flowers. In a photo studio, a photographer focuses a medium-format camera. Flashbulbs snap as the Apollo 13 crew is photographed in front of a starry background with the American and NASA flags flanking the crew. Dressed in their space suits, Lovell, Mattingly, and Haise carry their clear helmets under one arm. “So,” says one of the reporters, Phil, assembled for the photo session, “The number thirteen doesn’t bother you?” TITLE: APRIL 7, 1970 CAPE KENNEDY FLORIDA, 4 DAYS PRIOR TO LAUNCH. “Only if it’s a Friday, Phil,” replies Haise. “Apollo 13, lifting off at 1300 hours and 13 minutes, and entering the Moon’s gravity on April 13th?” continues Phil. “Uh,” says Lovell, “Ken Mattingly here has been doing some scientific experiments, regarding that very phenomenon.” “Oh yes,” says Mattingly, “Well, I had a black cat –” IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Marilyn Lovell : Kathleen Quinlan Ken Mattingly: Gary Sinese Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Reporter Phil: Thomas Crawford

Guest: EAA Intern Abby Riley In Jay Lovell’s bedroom, Jim Lovell is talking to his son about the Apollo One fire. “– and, uh, well a lot of things went wrong on that fire,” continues Jim Lovell. “Did they fix it?” asks Jay Lovell. “Oh yes,” replies Jim Lovell, “Absolutely. We fixed it. It’s not a problem any more.” Marilyn, listening in, leans her head against a wall in the hallway. On the streets of Houston, a Cadillac and an AMC Hornet drive along the road at night. Jim and Marilyn Lovell, in their red Corvette, pull in front of the cars. “I can’t believe they still have you doing public appearances!” says Marilyn. “Well, Henry Hurt was — all over me,” says Jim. “I know,” says Marilyn. “But I couldn’t get- ” begins Jim. “But the training schedule,” says Marilyn, “it’s tight. They shouldn’t be asking.” “It’s the program,” says Jim. “Marilyn, you know – – it’s NASA.” A Ford Mustang pulls up next to them. The driver shouts, “Hey, you’re Jim Lovell, aren’t you?” Jim nods. “Ha! Lucky Thirteen!” says the driver. Jim salutes him. “Right on!” says the driver. The light turns green, and the Mustang peels out. Jim steps on the gas, but his Corvette stalls. “It’s the second time it’s done that,” says Jim. He restarts the car. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Marilyn Lovell : Kathleen Quinlan Jay Lovell: Max Elliott Slade Noisy Civilian: Todd Hallowell

GUEST: GRAPHIC NOVELIST BRIAN FIES Jim Lovell is hanging out the side of a decompressing Command Module. The frame of his seat breaks, and knocks Lovell away from the Apollo CSM and LM assembly in deep space. Lovell tumbles end over end. A giant, bloodshot eye fills the screen. Marilyn Lovell awakens in her bedroom in Houston. TITLE: “MARCH 23, 1970, 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO LAUNCH” “…stars would fall down on you or something,” says Jim Lovell, in another room. “That’s silly,” says Jay Lovell, in another room. “Stars can’t fall on us.” Marilyn wipes her face with a Kleenex. “Aw, you’re a smarter kid than I was,” says Jim Lovell. In Jay Lovell’s bedroom, Jim Lovell is talking to his son. “How long will it take you to get to the Moon?” asks Jay. “Four days,” replies Jim Lovell, drinking from a coffee cup. Marilyn tiptoes down the hallway, listening. “But that’s pretty fast,” explains Jim, holding up a model, “This is the Saturn IV-B booster – – it shoots us away from the Earth – pshooo! – as fast — as a bullet — from a gun. Until the Moon’s gravity, it actually grabs us and pulls us into a circle around the Moon, which is called an orbit – alright? Fred and I float down the tunnel into this guy – the Lunar Module – the spidery looking-” IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Marilyn Lovell : Kathleen Quinlan Ken Mattingly: Gary Sinese Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Jay Lovell: Max Elliott Slade

Lovell, Mattingly, and Haise are in the Command Module SIM, attempting to dock with the LM. “We’ll go ahead and recycle the valves,” says Mattingly. Lovell closes and reopens the valve switches for circuits B and D. “They’re all gray,” reports Lovell. Mattingly alters the pitch position dial. Outside, the video camera moves closer to the LM model. Over Mattingly’s head, the video image of the probe target lines up with the reticule. “Twenty,” says Haise. “Easy,” whispers Mattingly, working the joystick. “Ten feet,” reports Haise. The video camera touches the center of the LM model docking port. “Capture,” says Mattingly. “That’s it!” says Lovell. “That’s it!” Haise gives a whoop of approval. “Sweet move, Ken!” says Haise. “Beautiful, beautiful!” “Gentlemen,” says Lovell, “that is the way we do that.” “Oh man,” says Haise, “that woke me up!” Outside the CM sim, an announcer on the speaker says, “Apollo Thirteen backup crew, you’re up in the simulator.” “Nice job, Jim,” says Jack Swigert, backup CM Pilot, as backup Commander John Young and Lunar Module Pilot Charlie Duke follow behind him. “That’s three hours of boredom, followed by seven seconds of sheer terror,” says Lovell. “Good job, guys,” says the SIM controller, Frank, at the foot of the stairs, “You just won the Christmas turkey!” “Nice try, Frank!” says Haise, as the crew applauds. “You really outfoxed him, brother,” says Haise to Mattingly. “Yeah, but it wasn’t perfect,” replies Ken. “Used up too much fuel.” Mattingly pauses on the stairs. “Aw, you’re above the curve,” says Fred Haise. “Not by much,” says Ken. “Listen, guys, I want to work it again.” The backup team pauses. Haise turns around. “Hey,” he says, “we gotta be up with the dawn patrol headed for Bethpage – what, oh-seven hundred.” “Wheels up at oh-seven hundred,” confirms Lovell. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks SIM controller Frank : Arthur Senzy Ken Mattingly: Gary Sinese Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon John Young: Ben Marley Charlie Duke: Unknown

  Jim Lovell arrives at the top of the stairs in his home, in the middle of an argument between his daughter and Marilyn about appropriate Halloween costumes. “Hey everybody,” says Jim. His daughter Barbara closes her bedroom door. “Jim!” says Marilyn, surprised. “Marilyn, trick or treat!” replies Jim. “You know that Easter vacation trip we had planned for Acapulco?” “Uh-oh,” says Marilyn. “Well, I was thinking there might be a slight change in destination,” explains Jim, hanging up his suitcase. “Really?” says Marilyn. “Maybe, say – – the Moon?” explains Jim. Marilyn and Susan Lovell gasp. Marilyn hugs Jim. “Al Shepard’s ear infection has flared up, and we’ve all been bumped up to the prime crew — of Apollo Thirteen,” says Jim. “Straight to the head of the line in the Fra Mauro Highlands.” “Six months?” asks Marilyn. “You’re moving up six months?” Barbara steps into the bedroom. “Dad,” asks Barbara,” Can I please wear this?” she’s still wearing her hippie miniskirt costume. “Sure!” says Jim, giving her a quick glance. “Jim!” corrects Marilyn. “No! No – absolutely not,” says Jim, taking his cue from Marilyn. Barbara marches out of the room, and back into her bedroom. “They’re not rushing things, are they?” asks Marilyn. “I mean, you – you’re gonna be ready in six months?” “We’ll be ready,” replies Jim. “Boy, I wouldn’t want to be around Al Shepard tonight. I gotta get over there – – we’re gonna have to get up to speed on this.” “Go, go,” says Marilyn. “I’m gonna walk on the Moon, Marilyn,” says Jim, at their bedroom door. Marilyn shakes her head in disbelief. “I know,” she says. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Marilyn Lovell: Kathleen Quinlan Barbara Lovell: Mary Kate Schelhardt Susan Lovell: Emily Ann Lloyd Jeffrey Lovell: Miko Hughes

Guest Host: Jennifer Levasseur Curator, National Air & Space Museum Jim Lovell is narrating a tour of the Vehicle Assembly Building. He explains that astronauts are only the most visible members of a very large team. ” — right down to the guy sweeping the floor, are honored to be a part of it,” explains Lovell. “What did the man say? ‘Give me a lever long enough and I’ll move the world?’ Well, that’s exactly what we’re doing here. This is divine inspiration, folks. It’s the best part of each one of us – – the belief that anything is possible. Things like: a computer that can fit into a single room, and hold millions of pieces of information. Or the Saturn V rocket.” A group of VIP visitors stands on a balcony high inside the VAB. Overhead, an S-IV-B stage is about to be mated to an S-II stage in the high bay. “Now, this is the actual launch vehicle that will be taking Alan Shepard and his crew on the first leg of the Apollo Thirteen mission,” explains Lovell. “When are you going up again, Jim?” asks a Congressman. “I’m slated to be the commander of Apollo Fourteen, sometime late next year,” replies Lovell. The Congressman grins. “If there is an Apollo Fourteen,” says the Congressman. Lovell smiles weakly. “Now, Jim,” continues the Congressman, “People in my state have been asking, why we’re continuing to fund this program, now that we’ve beat the Russians to the Moon?” “Imagine if — if Christopher Columbus had come back from the New World, and no one returned in his footsteps, ” replies Lovell. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Congressman: Roger Corman NASA PAO Henry Hurt: Xander Berkeley

Marilyn and Jim Lovell are in their backyard, after the Apollo XI Moonwalk party is over. “When you were on far side on Eight, I didn’t sleep at all,” says Marilyn, leaning into her lawn chair, “I just vacuumed, over and over again.” “Christopher Columbus,” says Jim, looking at the Moon, “Charles Lindbergh… and Neil Armstrong.” He laughs. “Neil Armstrong!” Marilyn laughs, too. Jim climbs into his lawn chair. Looking back at the Moon, Jim says, “From now on, we live in a world where Man has walked on the Moon.” He turns and looks at Marilyn. “And it’s not a miracle. We just decided to go.” He looks back at the Moon. “On Apollo 8, we were so close,” he says. “Just sixty nautical miles down. And what’s it like to just – – step out, and walk on the face of it? I want to go back. ” IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Marilyn Lovell: Kathleen Quinlan

The house guests clap for Apollo Eleven’s backup crew. On the screen, the upside-down image of the LM’s ladder appears. “Ooh, there he is!” says Marilyn, carrying a tray of empty champagne flutes. “There he is, everybody! Quiet down – here he is!” Lovell pulls a cigar out of his mouth. “Hey, kids!” he calls to his children, who are seated on the stairs. They join the guests near the TV set. TITLE: “PRODUCTION DESIGNER MICHAEL CORENBLITH” “Okay. Will you verify the position—the opening I ought to have on the camera?” says Buzz Aldrin, from the Moon. The video image of Neil Armstrong is superimposed by the words “LIVE FROM THE SURFACE OF THE MOON” on the TV. “Jim, do you think it’s too late for him to abort?” asks Pete Conrad. TITLE: “DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY DEAN CUNDEY, A.S.C. “No, no,” says Lovell,” he’s got time to get out of there. All he needs is for somebody to wave him off! Pull up Neil!” Conrad joins Lovell in giving the Go-Around signal. Marilyn signals for them to be quiet. TITLE: “EXECUTIVE PRODUCER TODD HALLOWELL” “Okay, Neil, ” says CapCom Bruce McCandless on TV, “We can see you coming down the ladder now.” “Okay,” replies Armstrong. “Boy, look at those pictures!” interjects Walter Cronkite. “Wow!” “I’m at the foot of the ladder,” continues Armstrong. “The LM footpads are depressed in the surface only about one or two inches. — It’s almost like a powder.” “ARMSTRONG ON MOON” flashes a title over Armstrong’s video. “Armstrong is on the Moon, the thir-” continues Cronkite. “– gonna step off the LM now-” says Armstrong. “thirty-eight year old American,” continues Cronkite, “standing on the surface of the Moon, on this the-” IN THIS MINUTE: Walter Cronkite: Himself Neil Armstrong: Himself Buzz Aldrin: Himself Bruce McCandless: Himself Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Tracy: Karen Martin Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Ken Mattingly: Gary Sinese Marilyn Lovell: Kathleen Quinlan Jay Lovell: Max Elliott Slade Pete Conrad: David Andrews John Young: Ben Marley

Jack Swigert is explaining to Tracy how docking works in space. “It’s called a probe,” says Swigert, waving the long neck of a beer bottle at a tall glass. “Is that true?” asks Tracy, smiling. TITLE: BILL PAXTON “Absolutely,” says Swigert, “and, Tracy, I’ll tell you: when you feel that thing slide in, and everything’s clicking – – it’s like no other feeling in the world.” Tracy laughs. TITLE: GARY SINESE The front door opens, and Jim Lovell steps inside, carrying a box of Moet & Chandon Champagne. Astronaut Pete Conrad steps in behind him. “A little liquid propulsion,” says Lovell to the partygoers. “What’s the big occasion?” TITLE: ED HARRIS “How’s it going over there at Mission Control?” asks Swigert. “It’s a nervous time,” replies Lovell, “They’re pacing around, smoking like chimneys – – Gene Kranz is going to have puppies.” Lovell notices the blonde woman talking to Swigert. “Jim Lovell,” he says, holding out a hand. Tracy smiles and shakes his hand. “Hi,” says Tracy. “This is Tracy,” says Swigert. “How do you do?” replies Lovell. “This, this is the man,” explains Swigert to Tracy. “Gemini Seven, Gemini Twelve, Apollo Eight – – they were the first ones around the Moon, this guy did ten laps.” “Wow,” says Tracy. “… with one hand on the wheel,” remarks Lovell, laughing. “You guys make yourselves at home.” Lovell turns toward the kitchen. “Hey, Marilyn –” TITLE: APOLLO 13 “This is the last champagne,” says Lovell, kissing his wife, “in the city of Houston.” “Quite good, quite good,” says Marilyn. TITLE: KATHLEEN QUINLAN “Everything else alright?” asks Lovell. Marilyn is already out of earshot in the living room. “Looks okay,” he continues to himself. “Hey, Cadet Lovell!” says Jim to his son, Jay, who’s wearing a St. John’s Military Academy t-shirt. “Hey, Dad,” says his son. “Put this on ice in the back and make sure it gets cold,” says Jim. TITLE: DAVID ANDREWS, XANDER BERKELEY “You gonna get a haircut this summer?” Jim asks his son. “I’m on vacation,” replies his son. “Oh, get a haircut!” replies Jim. TITLE: CHRISTIAN CLEMENSON, BRETT CULLEN In the Lovell study, Fred Haise looks at a framed cover of Time Magazine’s 1968 Men of the Year, Astronauts Anders, Borman, and Lovell. Ken Mattingly walks into the study. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Tracy: Karen Martin Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Ken Mattingly: Gary Sinese Marilyn Lovell: Kathleen Quinlan Jay Lovell: Max Elliott Slade Pete Conrad: David Andrews

James Horner’s score begins. Fade in. The Universal logo animation, the word UNIVERSAL across a cloudless planet Earth, appears, and resolves into the title card “UNIVERSAL – AN MCA COMPANY.” The title fades to black. TITLE: “Imagine Entertainment Presents” TITLE: “A Brian Grazer Production” TITLE: “A Ron Howard Film” Over-exposed video appears, a step-framed image of astronaut boots walking across a gangway. TITLE: “APOLLO 1 PRE-LAUNCH TEST, CAPE KENNEDY, FLORIDA, JANUARY 27, 1967” Over an audio circuit, a voice says, “Flight, we have the crew crossing gantry for capsule ingress.” “Roger that,” replies another voice on the audio circuit. Narrator Walter Cronkite says, “Inspired by the late President Kennedy, in only seven years, America has risen to the challenge of what he called the most hazardous and dangerous, and greatest adventure -” IN THIS MINUTE: Narrator: Walter Cronkite