SPACECRAFT ACCIDENTS: EXAMINING THE PAST, IMPROVING THE FUTURE Apollo 13 Bryan Palaszewski working with the Digital Learning Network NASA Glenn Research Center
Apr 02, 2015
SPACECRAFT ACCIDENTS: EXAMINING THE PAST, IMPROVING
THE FUTURE
Apollo 13
Bryan Palaszewski working with the
Digital Learning NetworkNASA Glenn Research Center
Apollo 13 (1/2)
• Launched: April 11, 1970• Mission: Explore the lunar surface
with 2 persons, Fra Mauro Region, the Moon
• On April 13 the oxygen tank ruptured, causing loss of power and oxygen for the crew.
Apollo 13 (2/2)
• Crew transferred to Lunar Module and used its power and oxygen for life support.
• Original mission was aborted. • Landed safely on Earth: April 17,
1970
Apollo 13 Results (1/2)
• After the flight, an investigation committee was formed to assess the cause(s).
• The oxygen (O2) tank rupture was causing by damaged wiring in the tank.
• The damage was caused when improper procedures were used for emptying the tank during ground testing.
Apollo 13 Results (2/2)
• Failure was re-created in ground testing.
• The O2 tank failure damaged the fuel cells that generate power for the astronauts.
• In future vehicles, an additional O2 tank was added for safety.