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The primary goal of the Apollo 13 mission was to conduct the first lunar landing, building upon the success of Apollo 11.
Answer: False
The primary goal of Apollo 13 was to be the third crewed lunar landing, aiming for the Fra Mauro formation. Apollo 11 had already achieved the first lunar landing.
James Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise were the original prime crew selected for the Apollo 13 mission from the outset.
Answer: False
While James Lovell (Commander) and Fred Haise (Lunar Module Pilot) were part of the original prime crew, Jack Swigert was a late replacement for Command Module Pilot Ken Mattingly due to health concerns.
The mission motto 'Ex luna, scientia' translates to 'From the Moon, knowledge,' emphasizing the mission's focus on scientific exploration.
Answer: True
The motto 'Ex luna, scientia' translates to 'From the Moon, knowledge,' underscoring the mission's enhanced focus on scientific objectives, particularly lunar geology and exploration.
The Command Module for Apollo 13 was named 'Aquarius' and the Lunar Module was named 'Odyssey'.
Answer: False
The Command Module was named 'Odyssey,' while the Lunar Module was named 'Aquarius.' The names were reversed in the question.
Apollo 13 utilized a smaller launch vehicle, the Saturn IB, due to its increased scientific payload requirements.
Answer: False
Apollo 13 was launched using the powerful Saturn V rocket (SA-508), not the smaller Saturn IB. The Saturn V was necessary to propel the spacecraft towards the Moon.
The intended landing site for Apollo 13 was the Fra Mauro formation, chosen for its potential to reveal early lunar history.
Answer: True
The Fra Mauro formation was the intended landing site for Apollo 13. It was selected for its geological significance, as it was believed to contain ejecta from the Imbrium basin impact, offering insights into the Moon's early history.
What was the primary scientific objective of the Apollo 13 mission, differentiating it from earlier lunar landings?
Answer: To demonstrate precision lunar landings and focus on lunar geology and scientific exploration.
Apollo 13, as an 'H mission,' aimed to build upon previous successes by emphasizing precision landings and conducting more in-depth scientific exploration, particularly in lunar geology, as indicated by its motto 'Ex luna, scientia' (From the Moon, knowledge).
Who was the Command Module Pilot for Apollo 13, and why was his position notable?
Answer: Jack Swigert, who was a late replacement for Ken Mattingly due to health concerns.
Jack Swigert served as the Command Module Pilot for Apollo 13. He was a last-minute replacement for Ken Mattingly, who was grounded due to potential exposure to German measles.
What was the name of the Apollo 13 Lunar Module, and what was its significance?
Answer: Aquarius, chosen by Lovell, possibly referencing a constellation.
The Lunar Module for Apollo 13 was named 'Aquarius.' Commander Jim Lovell chose the name, possibly inspired by the constellation and aligning with the mission's scientific motto.
Which of the following was a characteristic change made to the Saturn V rocket for the Apollo 13 mission (SA-508)?
Answer: Sprayed insulation on the S-II second stage's cryogenic tanks.
The Saturn V rocket used for Apollo 13 (SA-508) featured sprayed insulation on the cryogenic tanks of its S-II second stage, a modification from the affixed panels used on earlier Saturn V vehicles.
What was the primary reason Ken Mattingly was replaced by Jack Swigert shortly before the Apollo 13 launch?
Answer: Mattingly was exposed to rubella (German measles), and his immunity was uncertain.
Ken Mattingly was replaced by Jack Swigert as Command Module Pilot because Mattingly had been exposed to German measles, and his immunity status was uncertain, posing a potential risk to the mission.
What was the significance of the Fra Mauro formation as the intended landing site for Apollo 13?
Answer: It contained ejecta material from the Imbrium basin impact, valuable for dating the Moon's history.
The Fra Mauro formation was selected because it was believed to contain ejecta from the Imbrium basin impact, providing scientists with valuable material for dating the Moon's geological history.
What was the primary role of the 'support crew' in the Apollo program, exemplified by members assigned to Apollo 13?
Answer: To manage mission rules, flight plans, and checklists for the prime crew.
The support crew's role was to meticulously manage mission rules, flight plans, and checklists, providing essential logistical and procedural support to the prime and backup crews throughout the mission.
During the launch, the Saturn V rocket experienced 'pogo oscillations' that caused one of its engines to shut down prematurely.
Answer: True
The Saturn V's second stage (S-II) experienced severe 'pogo oscillations,' a type of resonant vibration, which led to the premature shutdown of its center engine. The mission successfully compensated for this anomaly.
What caused the premature shutdown of the center engine on the Saturn V's S-II stage during the Apollo 13 launch?
Answer: Severe 'pogo oscillations', a type of resonant vibration.
Severe 'pogo oscillations,' a resonant vibration phenomenon, caused excessive pressure fluctuations in the S-II stage's center engine, leading to its premature shutdown during the launch sequence.
The explosion in the Service Module resulted in the loss of power to the Lunar Module, forcing the crew into the Command Module.
Answer: False
The explosion critically disabled the Service Module's electrical and life-support systems, leading to a loss of power in the Command Module, not the Lunar Module. The crew was forced to abandon the Command Module and use the Lunar Module as a lifeboat for survival.
Upon jettisoning the Service Module, the crew observed minimal damage, indicating the explosion was less severe than initially feared.
Answer: False
When the Service Module was jettisoned, the crew observed significant damage, including a missing panel and debris, indicating the explosion was severe and had compromised the module's structure and systems.
At what point in the mission did the critical explosion occur in the Service Module's Oxygen Tank 2?
Answer: Approximately 56 hours into the mission, during the translunar coast.
The explosion in Oxygen Tank 2 of the Service Module occurred approximately 56 hours into the mission, while Apollo 13 was en route to the Moon, about 180,000 nautical miles from Earth.
What was the direct consequence of the Oxygen Tank 2 explosion on the Command Module's systems?
Answer: A 'Main Bus B undervolt' occurred, disabling the Command Module's primary power.
The explosion and subsequent loss of oxygen from the Service Module's tanks led to a critical 'Main Bus B undervolt,' which effectively disabled the Command Module's primary electrical power systems.
What did the Apollo 13 crew observe about the Service Module when it was jettisoned before reentry?
Answer: A significant portion of one side was missing, and debris was visible.
When the Service Module was jettisoned, the crew observed significant damage, including a missing panel and debris, indicating the explosion was severe and had compromised the module's structure and systems.
What did the crew observe about the Service Module's engine bell upon jettisoning the module?
Answer: Fred Haise noted possible damage to the engine bell.
Upon jettisoning the damaged Service Module, astronaut Fred Haise observed that the engine bell appeared to have sustained possible damage, reinforcing the decision not to use it for critical maneuvers.
The Apollo 13 crew survived by using the Command Module as a temporary lifeboat after the Service Module failed.
Answer: False
The Apollo 13 crew survived by utilizing the Lunar Module, 'Aquarius,' as their primary lifeboat after the Service Module's critical systems failed. The Command Module, 'Odyssey,' was powered down to conserve its limited resources for reentry.
The 'mailbox' device was designed to regulate the temperature inside the Lunar Module during the return journey.
Answer: False
The 'mailbox' device was not designed for temperature regulation. It was an improvised adapter created by the crew and Mission Control to connect incompatible carbon dioxide removal canisters from the Command Module to the Lunar Module's life support system, preventing CO2 buildup.
How did the Apollo 13 crew adapt the Lunar Module 'Aquarius' to serve as their primary habitat for the return journey?
Answer: They used it as a lifeboat, relying on its limited resources for three astronauts for an extended period.
The Lunar Module 'Aquarius,' designed for two astronauts for two days, was repurposed as a 'lifeboat' to sustain three astronauts for the extended return journey, requiring significant conservation of its limited resources.
The "mailbox" solution was devised to overcome which critical life-support problem?
Answer: Incompatible carbon dioxide removal canisters between the CM and LM.
The 'mailbox' was an ingenious solution to adapt the Command Module's larger carbon dioxide removal canisters to fit the Lunar Module's system, addressing a critical incompatibility that threatened the crew's survival.
What were the primary environmental challenges faced by the crew in the Lunar Module during their return?
Answer: Severe cold, water rationing, and condensation.
During the return journey in the Lunar Module, the crew endured severe cold due to limited power, strict water rationing, and condensation buildup on surfaces, significantly impacting their physical comfort and well-being.
The Apollo 13 mission's hybrid trajectory allowed it to reach higher lunar latitudes than a standard free-return trajectory.
Answer: True
Apollo 13 was initially placed on a hybrid trajectory designed to reach higher lunar latitudes, such as the Fra Mauro formation, which was not feasible with a standard equatorial-focused free-return trajectory.
Why did Mission Control choose a trajectory that involved swinging around the Moon instead of a direct return?
Answer: The Service Module's engine might have been damaged and unusable for a direct abort.
A direct abort using the Service Module's main engine was deemed too risky due to potential damage from the explosion. The trajectory swinging around the Moon allowed for a safe return using the Lunar Module's descent engine.
What innovative method was used to separate the Lunar Module from the Command Module before reentry, since the Service Module was no longer functional?
Answer: Carefully controlling air pressure within the docking tunnel.
Since the Service Module was jettisoned and unusable for separation, engineers devised a method to use controlled air pressure within the docking tunnel to gently push the Command Module away from the Lunar Module before reentry.
How did the Apollo 13 mission's trajectory differ from the typical free-return trajectory used in earlier missions?
Answer: It was a hybrid trajectory designed for higher lunar latitudes, unlike equatorial-focused free-return paths.
Apollo 13 was initially placed on a hybrid trajectory designed to reach higher lunar latitudes, such as the Fra Mauro formation, which was not feasible with a standard equatorial-focused free-return trajectory.
Oxygen Tank 2 had no known issues prior to the Apollo 13 launch, meeting all safety standards.
Answer: False
Oxygen Tank 2 had several known pre-flight issues, including problems with its thermostatic switches, potential damage during installation, and overheating during ground tests that likely compromised the insulation on its internal wiring. These issues meant it did not meet all safety standards.
Following the Apollo 13 incident, NASA made no significant safety modifications to the oxygen systems for future missions.
Answer: False
NASA implemented significant safety modifications to the oxygen systems for future missions following the Apollo 13 incident. These included redesigning the oxygen tanks, upgrading thermostats, removing stirring fans, and sheathing electrical wiring.
According to the investigation, what was the root cause of the explosion in Oxygen Tank 2?
Answer: A short circuit caused by damaged Teflon insulation on internal wiring.
The investigation concluded that a short circuit, resulting from damaged Teflon insulation on the wires of the tank's stirring fan, ignited the insulation, causing a fire and subsequent explosion within Oxygen Tank 2.
Which of the following was NOT identified as a pre-flight issue related to Oxygen Tank 2?
Answer: A manufacturing defect in the tank's primary pressure relief valve.
While issues like incorrect voltage switches, damage during installation, and overheating during heater use were identified, a manufacturing defect in the primary pressure relief valve was not cited as a pre-flight problem for Oxygen Tank 2.
What safety modifications were implemented for future Apollo missions based on the Apollo 13 experience?
Answer: Removal of all stirring fans from oxygen tanks and redesign of tank components.
Following Apollo 13, significant safety modifications were made, including removing stirring fans from oxygen tanks, redesigning tank components, upgrading thermostats, and reinforcing electrical wiring to prevent future incidents.
Apollo 13 holds the record for the furthest distance achieved from Earth by a crewed spacecraft.
Answer: True
During its mission, Apollo 13 achieved a record distance from Earth for a crewed spacecraft, reaching approximately 400,171 kilometers (248,655 miles) from Earth during its trajectory around the Moon.
The Apollo 13 mission generated little public interest, as the focus had shifted to the Vietnam War.
Answer: False
Contrary to the statement, the Apollo 13 mission generated immense worldwide public interest. The dramatic events and the crew's struggle for survival captured global attention, uniting millions through media coverage.
Jim Lovell famously stated upon returning that the mission was a complete failure, both technically and in terms of public engagement.
Answer: False
Jim Lovell did not state the mission was a complete failure. Instead, Apollo 13 is widely regarded as a 'successful failure' because, despite not achieving its lunar landing objective, the crew was safely returned to Earth, demonstrating remarkable resilience and problem-solving capabilities.
The film 'Apollo 13' accurately depicted Jim Lovell's famous quote about the problem as 'Houston, we have a problem.'
Answer: False
The film 'Apollo 13' altered Jim Lovell's famous quote. The actual statement made by Lovell was, 'Houston, we've had a problem,' not 'Houston, we have a problem.'
The phrase 'Failure is not an option' was spoken by Flight Director Gene Kranz during the Apollo 13 crisis.
Answer: False
The phrase 'Failure is not an option,' while strongly associated with Flight Director Gene Kranz, was popularized by the film 'Apollo 13' and was not spoken by him during the actual mission crisis.
All three prime crew members of Apollo 13 flew additional space missions after their return.
Answer: False
None of the three prime crew members—James Lovell, Jack Swigert, or Fred Haise—flew in space again after the Apollo 13 mission.
The Apollo 13 Lunar Module, 'Aquarius,' was recovered and is now displayed at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
Answer: False
The Apollo 13 Lunar Module, 'Aquarius,' was jettisoned after the crew transferred back to the Command Module. It subsequently reentered Earth's atmosphere and disintegrated, rather than being recovered or displayed.
The SNAP-27 radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) was successfully deployed on the lunar surface by the Apollo 13 crew.
Answer: False
The SNAP-27 RTG was not deployed on the lunar surface by the Apollo 13 crew because the mission failed to land. The RTG's fuel capsule sank unopened into the Tonga Trench.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom was awarded to the Apollo 13 crew for their bravery during the crisis.
Answer: False
While the crew displayed immense bravery, the Presidential Medal of Freedom was awarded by President Nixon to the entire Apollo 13 Mission Operations Team, recognizing their collective ingenuity and performance in managing the crisis and ensuring the crew's safe return.
What record did Apollo 13 achieve during its mission?
Answer: The furthest distance from Earth ever reached by a crewed spacecraft.
During its mission, Apollo 13 achieved a record distance from Earth for a crewed spacecraft, reaching approximately 400,171 kilometers (248,655 miles) from Earth during its trajectory around the Moon.
The term 'successful failure' is used to describe Apollo 13 because:
Answer: It highlighted NASA's ability to overcome extreme adversity and ensure crew survival.
Apollo 13 is termed a 'successful failure' because, although its primary objective of landing on the Moon was aborted, the safe return of the crew from a critical in-flight emergency demonstrated extraordinary problem-solving, resilience, and teamwork.
What was the purpose of crashing the S-IVB stage into the Moon during the Apollo 13 mission?
Answer: To provide seismic data for the seismometer left by Apollo 12.
The S-IVB third stage was intentionally impacted on the Moon to generate seismic waves, providing calibration data for the seismometer previously deployed by the Apollo 12 mission.
Which of the following statements accurately describes the fate of the Apollo 13 prime crew members after the mission?
Answer: None of the prime crew members flew in space again after Apollo 13.
None of the three prime crew members—James Lovell, Jack Swigert, or Fred Haise—flew in space again after the Apollo 13 mission. All eventually retired from NASA.
The Apollo 13 insignia featured the Greek god Apollo in his chariot, symbolizing:
Answer: The mission's goal of bringing the 'light of knowledge' through exploration.
The Apollo 13 insignia, depicting Apollo in his chariot, symbolized the mission's objective of bringing 'the light of knowledge' to humanity through lunar exploration, aligning with the motto 'Ex luna, scientia'.
What was the significance of the 'successful failure' designation for Apollo 13?
Answer: It highlighted NASA's ability to overcome extreme adversity and ensure crew survival.
Apollo 13 is termed a 'successful failure' because, although its primary objective of landing on the Moon was aborted, the safe return of the crew from a critical in-flight emergency demonstrated extraordinary problem-solving, resilience, and teamwork.