[Apollo 13]

Originally from the Personal Collection of Apollo 13 Commander James Lovell

CHECKLIST SHEET FLOWN AND USED DURING THE FATEFUL DISASTER 

The present checklist was attached to the main console inside the Command Module Odyssey to be referenced in case of electrical failure. This grew necessary just under 56 hours into the mission after an oxygen tank exploded when the cryogenic fans were activated. As a result, the Command and Service Module suffered a major loss of electrical power. The crew likely consulted THIS PAGE as the scope of the mission shifted away from an attempted lunar landing to focus on survival. 

“Houston, we’ve had a problem. We’ve had a Main B Bus Undervolt.” – James Lovell, 055:55:35 CDR. 

Mission Commander James Lovell’s letter of provenance reads:  

“I hereby certify that the attached Apollo 13 checklist on board the Apollo 13 spacecraft. Apollo 13 perilous flight took off on April 11 and returned safely on April 17, 1970 [sic]. / This checklist was attached to the instrument panel and was used for quick reference in case of electrical failure. / This checklist was from my personal collection of space artifacts and has been in my possession since the mission. / JAMES LOVELL.” 

The Apollo 13 crew had to move from the CSM Odyssey into the Lunar Module Aquarius, using it as a lifeboat to survive a four-day journey around the moon and return to Earth. With people on the ground from both NASA and the contractor team working around the clock, an alternate flight plan was developed, and various procedures were developed to return the crew to Earth safely against seemingly insurmountable odds. The mission stands out as a paragon of teamwork and first-class training.