In 1970, Nasa’s Apollo 13 mission captured the world’s attention as a routine lunar expedition turned into a harrowing struggle for survival.

WASHINGTON: Nasa is preparing to rescue astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore from the extended mission to Space Station. The two astronauts, who were on an eight-day mission will have to spend eight months in zero gravity after the Starliner spacecraft they arrived in developed critical technical issues.

The two astronauts will only return in February 2025 as Nasa makes emergency plans and improvises future missions to ensure their safe return.

However, this is not the first time Nasa will be attempting a rescue mission. They have done it in the past, too, during a mission that was planned to land on the Moon. The American space agency has always been cautious of one of the most monumental missions that was described as a “successful failure.”

In 1970, Nasa’s Apollo 13 mission captured the world’s attention as a routine lunar expedition turned into a harrowing struggle for survival.

What began as humanity’s third attempt to land on the Moon became a sign of human ingenuity and perseverance when a seemingly insignificant $2 component threatened the lives of three astronauts.

THE DARING APOLLO 13 MISSION

The mission, commanded by Jim Lovell alongside lunar module pilot Fred Haise and command module pilot Jack Swigert, launched on April 11, 1970.

Two days into the journey, as the spacecraft approached over three lakh kilometres from Earth, disaster struck. An oxygen tank in the service module exploded, severely damaging the craft’s power, electrical, and life support systems.

The root cause? A damaged thermostat switch that cost a mere $2.

This small part, which should have cut power to the tank’s heater at a safe temperature, failed due to an oversight during pre-flight testing. When the heater was activated in space, it caused the tank to overheat and rupture.

MOON LANDING TURNS INTO RESCUE MISSION

With the lunar landing aborted, Nasa’s focus shifted entirely to bringing the astronauts home alive. The damaged command module Odyssey was powered down, and the crew took refuge in the lunar module Aquarius, using it as a makeshift “lifeboat”.

The rescue effort showcased remarkable problem-solving skills under extreme pressure.

Nasa engineers worked tirelessly to devise solutions for critical issues, including conserving power, managing limited water supplies, and dealing with dangerous levels of carbon dioxide.

One of the most ingenious solutions involved creating a makeshift adapter for the command module’s square carbon dioxide scrubbers to fit the lunar module’s round receptacles, using only materials available onboard – including duct tape.

Throughout the ordeal, the astronauts faced life-threatening challenges. They endured near-freezing temperatures, severe dehydration, and the constant fear of not having enough resources to make it back to Earth.

Despite these hardships, the crew maintained their composure and worked closely with Mission Control to overcome each obstacle.

After a tense journey around the Moon, Apollo 13 splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean on April 17, 1970.

The mission, dubbed a “successful failure,” became a defining moment for Nasa, demonstrating the agency’s ability to innovate and persevere in the face of near-certain disaster.

The Apollo 13 incident led to significant improvements in spacecraft design and safety protocols. It demonstrated the importance of rigorous testing, the value of redundancy in critical systems, and the need for creative problem-solving in space exploration.

As Nasa works for the safe return of the two astronauts from the Space Station, the memories and learnings from the Apollo 13 mission will surely have been revisited.

Agencies

Agencies