Today in 1970, after several trying and difficult days, the Apollo 13 mission splashed down on Earth. It was a time of great relief, not only for us in the astronaut corps, but for all Americans, and indeed, our friends watching around the world. The steadiness of 13’s crew, and the dedicated, unstoppable support from the @NASA team on the ground truly transformed a potential disaster into a brilliant moment of heroism and achievement. We were so glad to have you all home, gentlemen.
@TheRealBuzz One of many phenomenal achievements by NASA and America.
@TheRealBuzz Those guys getting back safely was as technically impressive as the moon landing.
@TheRealBuzz One of my favorite books & movies. Can you imagine for a moment how difficult that mission would have been without being able to talk or communicate with anyone in Mission Control?
@TheRealBuzz so glad I'm gliding through time at this moment with you Buzz would like to know what you really saw up there
@TheRealBuzz @ChiefChris22 My father was a Radioman on the USS IWO JIMA... the recovery ship. Have 2 boxes of pictures from that day. #Apollo13 #Apollo
I have an unusual personal connection to Apollo 13. I was a space nut from the minute we started doing manned space flights. Before that, I had wanted to be a pilot, but after that, I wanted to be an astronaut. I watched virtually every manned launch from Mercury forward. And being a nerd, I gobbled up all of the technical information that I could find about the spacecraft, the flight profiles, everything. I was in my sophomore year of high school when Apollo 13 flew. Immediately after the explosion, I gave a blackboard presentation to one of my classes that explained what happened, and what the plan was going forward. The talk was extremely popular, and for the next week, the school admins had me go around to all of the classes in the school, giving updates on what happened, and the status. There were a large number of people who got exposed to how a free-return trajectory works, who wouldn't have been without my little "lecture series". Many years later, I met Fred Haise at a private event, and I at least had the good grace not to ask him what it was like. You may not remember me Dr Aldrin, but we served together on the Board of Directors of NSS for a while. But, as Kahn once said: I, of course, remember you! 😎 TCS
@TheRealBuzz Luv it, and Buzz was a Learjet pilot also
@TheRealBuzz Did you spend time with the Lovell family like the movie portrayed?
@TheRealBuzz Miracles happen. Science and faith brought these heroes home. Never forget who we are.