STORY OF RESCUE Mission OF APPOLO 13 | ബഹിരാകാശത്ത് കുടുങ്ങിയ യാത്രികരെ ഭൂമി യിൽ തിരികെ എത്തിച്ച കഥ
The rupture and explosion of Apollo 13’s oxygen tank crippled the spacecraft, endangering the lives of the crew and making a Moon landing not an option.
But more problems arose as the perilous flight progressed.
Keeping the spacecraft on the right trajectory was a huge challenge for Mission Control, and especially for the crew.
Normally, the ship’s computers allowed for much of the navigation, but due to the loss of the Service Module as an electrical power source, even backup navigation and targeting functions were unavailable.
The Lander’s limited battery power required the shutting down of its guidance computer.
The astronauts also needed to use an on-board sextant to confirm their location by sighting-in the stars, similar to how ancient sailors navigated.
“There are thirty-seven stars - and one is the sun,” said Apollo engineer Jerry Woodfill, “that provided an accurate way of aligning the spacecraft’s computer platform to allow the astronauts to steer their way through the heavens.”
But the explosion of the tank had enshrouded the Apollo 13 spacecraft with debris. Commander Jim Lovell and his crew couldn’t discern the stars from the particles that glimmered in the sunlight. “The situation was, without the ability to see the stars, you couldn’t navigate,” Woodfill said.
Why did Nasa have to cancel the mission