Apollo 13: Home Safe 

This is the most successful space mission in history to me. Getting astronauts back to Earth safely in an emergency is the most important thing we need to be able to do in space exploration.

I'm wondering who produced the most smoke. The launch of the Saturn V or the cigarettes at Mission Control during the rescue.

Brought tears to my eyes seeing all those people in public who really cared for their safe return

“Failure is not an option” I love this quote so much, I have a sign in my room that says this exact quote, I also proudly stand and live by this quote whenever I see it I get chills and smile

Jim Lovell and Gene Kranz were two of my heroes growing up. Just talk about cool under fire and getting a problem solved. No finger pointing no accusations, just work the problem to a solution.

This past December, I attended a Christmas concert at the Galveston Opera House. While waiting in the lobby for the doors to open, a familiar face approached where I was standing. I didn't need his embroidered name on his Experimental Aircraft Association jacket to know this was Gene Kranz. I introduced myself to him and he couldn't have been more gracious. He mentioned he was waiting for two of his daughters to come in after parking their car. With a little bit of time, I said I was surprised that he is still in the Houston area. Of course he is, all of his friends and family are here, with one of his daughters working at NASA, I came to learn later. I asked him about EAA since I used to belong to the same organization. He said he had to stop his own flying not long ago, his being 89 and all. Fortunately, some of his friends are aircraft owners and take him up occasionally. He also expressed a fascination with the Cirrus single engine jet. About that time, he had to get with his daughters so he very politely excused himself. I wished I had the presence of mind to get a picture with him but then, that might have ruined how magical a moment it was for me.

I was 10 when I watched this in black and white! 30 years later I met Ken Mattingly when The Rocket Development Company ended around 2000 in Los Alamitos. They had a sale and I bought the desk adjacent to his, he signed it and I shipped it to the UK. Been using it for 20 years, even after moving house many times!

I'll NEVER get tired of watching Apollo 13 history! Truly mission controls finest hours! ♥️🤘🏻👌🏻

I'll never forget this as long as I live. Proud day when they made it home!

I'm old enough to remember Apollo 13. The suspense between reentry and radio contact is something I'll never forget, nor the relief and joy afterwards.

2 things that will NEVER get old: A Saturn V launch, and Apollo 13's safe return.

I remember it very well i was 13 years old and i was (i'am) very interested in space adventures. The fact is that i saw the movie maybe 20 times and i still cry when the astronauts coming back in the atmosfere. Thanks NASA and all the guys who brought them back

Can see Apollo 13 history for many years. " The space epic." Really proud on it.

Amazing. After all these years and their many accomplishments, NASA still deserves an extra pat on the back for this one. Great job, NASA!

An extraordinary achievement. I am old enough to have been alive when the actual event occurred. The crew came a hairs-breadth away from death - the training and courage of the crew and the amazing dedication and technical knowledge of the ground crew saved the day. We salute you.

This remains one of the most inspirational stories ever - thank you, NASA!

These three men, like all the astronauts of their era, had balls of steel. Today’s astronauts are riding on the shoulders of giants together with more advanced technology to keep them safer. Great job by all these talented people.

This is the good side of america. I do wish we still funded NASA like that.

No matter how many times I see and hear this story, it never fails to move me. Just incredible. Not just the bravery and resilience of the astronauts themselves but also the people who worked so tirelessly to bring them home safely. Humanity at its best

50 years ago the world stopped to watch how 3 "confined" astronauts were saved by teamwork, ingenuity and can do attitude, solving what it seemed to be an insurmountable problem. The story of Apollo 13 is very inspirational for the current situation, and we sure need this spirit now.

One thing about this documentary is that shows just how good the film Apollo 13 actually was. Most of this I knew, but I still got choked up waiting on the re-entry - movie and documentary. That shows how great they both are.

Looking forward to this. As a child, I watched every NASA launch and mission live on TV, experiencing history being made, which continued into my adult years with the Space Shuttle program. My kids are somewhat jealous that I lived in such a time; though they're very much tracking & watching future space history being made nowadays and in the years to come.

I was 16 at this time and when I heard about this I did not worry about it because I knew we had the best handling the problem! The entire team are heroes! Astronauts and ground crew!

A fine, fine job. It's great to see some of the participants still with us. I met Fred Haise in OKC in 2009 at a NASA gathering at the Oklahoma History Center. He was an OU graduate, and also served in the Oklahoma Air National Guard.

And I am in the process of reading “failure is not an option” by Gene Kranz the landing go for Apollo 11 chapter at this moment. Thanks NASA for the great documentary!

This was really inspiring, I watched it on April 13 2020. We can overcome great obstacles. The crew and people on the ground did their part 50 years ago... today, it's our turn to do our part now.

The achievement of Apollo 13 is more impressive to me than any other mission in space yet. They couldn’t predict or precalculate everything beforehand like all the other missions were, they were flying by the seat of their pants and their ingenuity had no assurances, while three lives depended upon its success. Incredibly impressive, and IMO, humanity’s finest hour.

I love learning about space. It gives me more hope when I think about becoming an astronaut

I watched all this as it happened, and feel privileged to have done so. The Apollo program united our country and the world in a way that in my mind wholly justified its cost. The science was a bonus.

I cannot believe this was not celebrated in 2020. 50 years ago we almost lost 3 astronauts. I don't think people understand just how close it was.

Home Safe was great, I loved it, I was 13 years old when it happened, I always watched NASA space coverage on CBS with Walter Cronkite.

It's impossible to not get teary eyed when you see them land safely.

I was serving in the Royal Air Force at the age of 22, as an Aircraft Engine Mechanic at the time, and remember watching the return of Apollo 13 in the crew room of the fuel depot, when they splashed down a loud cheer erupted. Everyone involved in any space mission - past, present, or future - should be recognised as heroes.

I still have a vivid memory of being huddled around an old Roberts radio listening to the re-entry. The World literally stood still. The feeling of nail-biting tension. It was silence, you could hear a pin drop, and when the predicted 4min 30sec LOS blackout came and went and there was still silence, we all had this sinking feeling they may not have made it through the re-entry stage. For 90secs we held our breath, looking at one another with a pit in our stomachs until we heard 'Odyssey Houston standing-by over' and the call back, then another agonizing 4mins until the main chutes were sighted. Then we knew they were going to splash-down safely. Utter relief. They were home. Gene Kranz recalling that moment said he slumped back in his seat and wept.

Back in 1970, all of the states were on STANDARD time, not Daylight Saving Time (DST), during the month of April. Any rebroadcast in real time this coming Saturday should be offset by an hour. For example, on Central Standard Time (Houston time), the launch occurred at 13:13 CST. When it airs this Saturday, add an hour...it would be 14:13 CDT.

It's amazing that these men and women saved the astronauts lives with nothing but pencil, paper, pocket calculators and a whole lot of nerd knowledge. Every single one of those white shirt black tied nerds are the absolute best of the best.

I really hope we build commercial lunar exploration quickly so that we can take Jim Lovell to the lunar surface, he deserves it

No matter how many times I watch this, 24:50 onwards always brings tears of joy to my eyes!

This is fantastic, thank you for posting! A great ‘sequel’ to the Apollo documentary. I hope this quality of document continues to be released, so we can learn and preserve this important history.

"Successful failure" is special and unique kind of success of all time

It was good to see Gene Krantz in his normal environment. It was also good to hear Jules Bergman. Also to hear Chris Kraft.

Currently we’re in the midst of a pandemic. Everyone is playing their part to help the nhs. This can do spirit is inspirational

Anyone eagerly waiting here

This flight was every bit the ultimate success of Apollo 11. It was the epitome of American ingenuity and skill. Incredibly brave men in space and on the ground. The very definition of cool heads and leadership.

I LOVE THIS!!! Thank you so much for making this I’ve watched the Apollo 13 movie over 5 times and now I get to see a documentary about this that’s actually from NASA as a pose to from the discovery channel!

Fifty years on, and like many others around at that time, it still feels the same for me, with the tension, sadness, and joy at the end. A good landing is one that you can walk away from.

We’re in 2022 and can’t believe we are wasting so much time still fighting amongst ourself for ridiculous petty things instead of desiring to conquer space.

Half a century later, I still get emotional over this. What a display of professionalism under extreme pressure. Their finest hour, indeed!

Outstandingly pre-eminent performance, endurance, bravery, team work and brain power from Ground and Flight personnel combined. Sincerely, VERY well done everyone! (Hector Holbrook, Aerodynamics Consultant, Scotland, UK).

And the world started breathing again. Well done!

UNBELIEVABLE! I've seen the movie Apollo 13, but this made it so real. I couldn't stop the tears, watching the heroic efforts of all involved, on the ground and hurtling through an unimaginable void. I am so very proud of our team - it gives me such hope for the future of space exploration, and indeed our very humanity. THANK YOU, NASA!

One of the greatest stories of all time. What a group of men and women who helped this to happen. True heroes.

I feel so lucky to have watched the early space journey my whole life. I love the era in which I am born.

They make more more money from this youtube channel than they do government funding lol

Still brings a tear to my eyes. Best of the best for a reason

Thankyou so much for this, its needed. Especially during these uncertain times when we need encouragement, in order to get through our trials and tribulations. Safe in the knowledge that by banding together with all we have, we can and will get through no matter what. .. Thanks again. Peace. :)

I watched the movie. Kudos to all of them. It made me teary eyed 👏🏻

The launch of Apollo 13 was exactly 50 years ago today April 11,1970. I watched it being on a Saturday. None of the three networks showed the tv transmission like they did on previous lunar flights on their way to the moon. The press conference after they returned was shown the following week on all three networks.

Excellent! These events occurred over my 15th birthday. I never had any doubt that the crew would return safely to earth.

Im amazed at what all those people accomplished, with so much pressure and to do it with such teamwork. As I sit here in 2022, I look back to that time and it really does give you a sense of pride! For our country, and the great people who make this country what it is!!!

Thank you, NASA for this wonderful film. I've watched Apollo 13 twice and the re-entry scene n number of times. It still gives me chills every time. Humanity owes these amazing humans called scientists a great deal of gratitude for their unparalleled contributions that had made our lives more meaningful and enjoyable. I take this moment to express my respect and thanks towards all the scientists all over the world. Love from India. ❤️

This was a beautiful documentary!!.. you know, this is when america was great!!.. love everyone around right now!!.. this is what this world needs is peace,love, and happiness!!!.. nasa sure did bring a family around a tv back in the day. Bring it back guys and woman!!.. make us be united again as one

Thank you for producing this wonderful piece of history. 🙏 such an event that captured me when the movie came out. I was ten and was enthralled. Those were the men of the days! Hope we can progress out into space once again.

I remember Apollo 13 vividly, and even today every time I see the command module appear under its parachutes I get tears in my eyes.

All my love and greatest respect to Mr Gene Kranz. He's one of my lifetime heroes. Plus, it was NASA's most perfect mission EVER.

Beautiful!!! Love you NASA!!!!!

Thank you NASA for uploading the video. It is a testament to the best of humanity and to our natural curiosity to explore, learn and grow. Thank you 🙏

I was the Retrofire Officer for A13. At 10:57 in this video, it says that without the second burn after coming around the moon they would miss the earth by thousands of miles. Not true, the first burn put them on a free return trajectory coming back to a landing in the Indian Ocean. The second burn just speeded up the trajectory to land in the Pacific Ocean and saving consumables. At 19:55 I am sitting with Gerry Griffin.

my grandfather computer was there

I from Brazil .. I love you NASA Sou do Brasil e amo a NASA 😍😍😍

However many times you watch or read this story the sense of awe and admiration is always the same.

This was, without a doubt, NASA’s finest hour.

The best book report I made was on "Lost Moon"

This is how good we can be with good leadership and coordinated action in an emergency. A fitting example for what we should strive for today.

So well produced and inspirational. Go NASA!

I was 10yrs old when this near calamity occurred! I remember a tear in my moms eye when they landed safely! This video brought back a lot of fond memories from my childhood! 🚀

I can't wait to see it

4:32 Man gettin his hotdogs in space.

Now this was a truly great video. Thank you NASA .

I had a roommate years ago who was born during the Apollo 13 flight. She hadn't even realized that until I told her after she mentioned what her date of birth was. I've lost contact with her, but Happy 50th Birthday to her, wherever she is!

Meanwhile go watch 'When we left earth'. Best documentary.

The beauty of teamwork and procedural systems. Why don't we apply that to our global emergency problems here on Earth?

That was really nice. I learned some new things. Thank you.

Long Live the great mathematicians and scientist who saved the Apollo 13 crew

Steely-eyed missle men for sure!

Oh good I was worried they wouldn’t make it home safe

My lord what a mission !! I still get goosebumps.

Greatly enjoyed the video. Sorry about Jack Swigert RIP . Pleased Fred Haise and Jim Lovell are still with us. True heroes together with backup staff and Gene Kranze

Thought the thumbnail was a screenshot of subnotica

It would be awesome to have a meteor proof hotel on the moon.

How beautiful! Thank you.

Highly recommend 13 Minutes to the Moon, amazing podcast. Season 2 is all Apollo 13.

Lovell should'v have another go for the moon he deserved it .

Black women got Apollo 13 boys back home.

Eagerly waited for this on 50th anniversary..🙏

I was in the 10th grade. From this, and other media, it's amazing how many of the details of the rescue of this crew were not made public at the time. But, I had my nose glued to the old B&W TV for all the coverage provided.

I liked it NASA! Very cool! LAUNCH THE SLS even if it’s not reusable I just wanna see it launch 🚀

This is amazing 🇺🇸🇺🇸👑👑💕💕

50 years ago they did all of this. What an incredible group of people, every one.

This was really great. Thanks!