Minute 025: I’m Going to Manual

GUEST: NASA FLIGHT DIRECTOR BILL REEVES   Lovell remains in his chair, after having told Ken Mattingly he’s no longer on the Apollo 13 crew. The scene shifts to Jack Swigert, manning the left seat in a Command Module simulator during a reentry sequence. “Trajectory is holding steady,” says Swigert, “We’re right on the line.” “Okay we’re into Program 64,” responds Lovell, ” We’re oh-five Gee so we’re feeling that gravity now.” “Houston,” says Haise, “we are at four hundred thousand feet, passing entry interface.” “Reentry data is nominal and we have radio blackout,” says the SIM operator. Deke Slayton watches the SIM controllers at their consoles. In the CM simulator, Swigert sees a warning. “What’s the story here?” says Swigert. He scans the panel and sees a deviation on the trajectory scope. “I got a corridor light. We’re coming in too shallow. I’m going to manual.” Haise looks questioningly at the decision. Swigert twists the controller sharply. “Houston, switching to SCS” says Haise. “Roger,” says the SIM CapCom. “Okay, we’re at three gees,” says Swigert, watching the dial. “Five gees.  We’re coming in too steep. I’m gonna stay in this roll, see if I can pull us out. We’re at eight gees.  Nine. Ten”  Warnings start beeping. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Ken Mattingly: Gary Sinese Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Deke Slayton: Chris Ellis