40th Anniversary of Apollo 13 - Annual John H. Glenn Lecture 

It was a school morning - my mother woke me up and told me what had happened, and I guess at that time the lifeboat scenario was already well underway. The way she said it, and the way I interpreted it, was that this was going to work. The scenario had been anticipated, and the crew of 13 was going to make it home safely. I ended up sick for the next few days - I really did have a cold or flu - unlike 16 when I faked it so I could watch the mission... lol. So I watched the continuous coverage. You guys in Mission Control had the confidence, but so did I. I didn't understand at the time just how critical every move was, how cold it was in the spacecraft, and the thousands of decisions that had to be made. Ironically when I went to see the movie the first time, just as the command module splashed down, the projector failed. The screen went dark, and minutes went by. People in the audience started calling "Ken Mattingly to the projection booth, please". After about 10 minutes the film was backed up a bit so we got to see the whole nail biting scenario at re-entry again. I have read Gene Kranz's book, Jim Lovell's book, and watched about every documentary and learned a lot more about the mission since. In spite of the Hollywood liberties (and the necessary inclusion of Kevin Bacon just to make sure it's all connected), I still feel it's the best film made about any real life space mission. I really enjoyed this presentation with some of my favorite people that I've never met. And we do need a goal, a public mandate to go forward with manned space exploration. The unmanned probes have gotten very sophisticated, to the point that I think we've covered more of Mars than the Moon, without actually landing human beings there. Going back to the moon is important for a number of reasons - it's far beyond "Been there done that". I have visited Kennedy Space Center multiple times and I'm always impressed by the people there - I looked up to all you guys when I was a kid, and now I'm seeing people less than half my age picking up this great legacy. It would be wonderful if it wasn't all ruled by politics, but that's the way it was, and the way it is. I am privileged to be born in the time and place I was to witness this history, and what can truly be accomplished by teamwork and dedication - and education.

Amazing group of men and amazing memories for my generation who remember the Apollo missions. Just wish there was more of a remembrance and memories of Jack Swigert and his contribution to the Apollo missions we lost him way too early.

Four fantastic and humble men. Despite all the progress we have made since, nothing has come close to this short era of ambition, innovation and courage.

The coolest guys on Earth!

I met Jack & Jim a few years after the event, at SETP. No one brought up the issue. Guess they were tired of talking about it. Got holiday cards from Jack for a few years that I saved. Also got Armstrong’s signature on the program. They toured North American LAX and the B1 mock up. Have never forgotten them. Also got to know Gerry Griffon and his late wife at the San Diego Air & Space museum dinners. He was big help on Apollo 13 too. A fun bunch of smart men. Pilots are the best!

I have to hand it to Commander Lovell, he's a trooper. Telling the same story probably started getting old after year 20, or 25. And you know there is no question that can be asked that has not been asked 100s of times. But it's his legacy.

Wow! I am old enough to recall all of the Apollo missions but have no recollection of 13 in real time. Amazing people doing amazing things. What more can you say, other than thank you for making my early years so fantastic?

Outstanding!

12:07 Lovell knocks down the one major flaw I noticed in Apollo 13....the portrayal of Swigert as a mediocre pilot. If he had been, he wouldn't have gotten within a mile of an Apollo command module.

God bless you Gene

I met John Glenn on the first commercial jet flight from NY to La, before he had ever went up in space, he was on the way to inspect the space capsule he would take to space, He was a a young man, maybe 24 or so. I was maybe 6 or 7, Its a great story, of what a 6 year old and a Test Pilot could talk about . As we did for 30 minutes or so.

I remember this mission vividly as one would who saw it as it happened. It's a testament to the astronauts and their intense training that there wasn't any panic from them at anytime. They all got back home because of their military background and bravery of the hardships they endured, coming back from the moon.

Mr Lovell your the best

So glad to have found this video. Loved the history of our space program, especially the apollo program, loved Ron Howard's movie adaptation to the real events, and even though I wasn't alive at that time, I sure wish I was to have witnessed the events, not particular apollo 13 but the entire program in general. These men are the definition of courage, and bravery in the face of extreme danger, same as our men fighting overseas and to me, they are no different. Heroes, all of them.

I can't believe it took me this long to find this channel. Excellent content as a whole.

I wish I could meet Gene Kranz.

My heroes!

The last portion about the shallow trajectory causing the extended communications black out makes allot of sense. Since Nasa had never had to consider this sort of contingency to occur, the weight calculations were not as accurate. Therefore, the craft was actually lighter in weight than anticipated/calculated and that fact and the calculations for a heavier craft is what created the shallow angle of entry. Had the weight been just a little less or the calculation been for a slightly heavier craft then they would have skimmed off the atmosphere and never made it back. It was that close folks! An amazing miracle only just describes their safe return...

Panel starts at 10:08

wonderful... thanks for share !

I love these lectures!

The Lovell Tautology: Any improvement will be for the better.

Fantastically brave - happily ignoring the conspiracy fools.

I Wish there is a Video of the Crew members of Apollo 13 watching the movie and See their reactions😀

Thank you for preserving this important event. My only wish -- I wish -- that John Glenn had acknowledged to Gene Kranz that Ed Harris portrayed both of them.

Wonderful show. I do ask in the various mentioned Boeing involvements are tax reductions for that company.

Hes been there for every one they've had. remarkable, well not really when you consider the man were referring to. EVERY MAN ALIVE TODAY can take a thing or two from Mr. Glenn. He knows this, and gives lectures for those of us who know it to.

Heroes to me. True Space travel dilema How to get back to the Earth. I had a chance to support the remnants of Apollo equipment to support pre-shuttle activities. There are hundreds of spacecraft up there, despite no manned program. I came aboard just after Apollo Soyuz, and left after Shuttle stopped flying.

The Crew of Apollo 13 proved Survival is the best success!

i heard this s-m was first slated to fly on Apollo 10 but was replaced due to some problem they had with it i can not recall for sure what the problem was but i think it had something to do with a fan that in the 02 tank that end up exploding

Another excellent argument against the unfortunates who deny moon landings: same stories from mercury to Apollo retold many ways in manyp settings without discrepancy. Thats a definition of truth.

God damn guys ! Do u feel that big mathematical Thing ... when u watch that kind of things For me I fell it but I can’t describe it enough..

O a história registra se faz memória no panteon do tempo.✍🏼🙎

gene just needs that pen in his hand

I'm absolutely sure sound recording was further than this in 2010.

Magnificent men ……..of the old school . So few left and even fewer now , coming to the fore compared to the umpteen millions who by choice , refuse education, to improve themselves, to listen , to learn , to aspire to anything worthy at all. And as long as the God of Welfare together with his best friend the God of Entitlement are the leaders , don’t expect much for the future. IMO

It didn't have a problem, it slipped on the crane installing it. The problems came when they tested it, had not known the voltage difference and got in a hurry getting ready it ready for the Apollo 13 final flight. Its a damn miracle they all did not die! It was nothing short of devine intervention that saved them. If those tanks end up on any other flight before or after they all die. I studied everything about that flight for 10 years. I been documenting all of it and will post my finding

"Guys , they are catching on to the lottery scam , lets lose one , so they dont get suspicious!"

And the UK waves an unfold farewell to the EU and it’s loathsome undemocratic project.

Endless lies

Amazing stories, it is just too bad that they are just that