SoylentNews

Why Apollo 13 was Called NASA's Most "Successful Failure."

posted by LaminatorX on Monday April 13 2015, @01:45PM   
from the I'm-coming-home dept.

AnonTechie writes:

Forty-five years have passed [autoplay video] since the flight launched:

After losing oxygen and power in its unsuccessful trip to the moon, Apollo 13 still managed to do one thing well: land back on Earth.

April 11 marks the 45th anniversary of the mission's launch from Florida's Kennedy Space Center with the goal of landing on the moon. Watch the video above to learn about what's frequently called NASA's "successful failure."

Related: See a 1970 explanation of What Happened to Apollo 13.

• It's odd I don't remember this It's odd I don't remember this (Score: 4, Interesting) by Snotnose on Monday April 13 2015, @02:07PM

  by Snotnose (1623) on Monday April 13 2015, @02:07PM (#169713)

  My first memory is JFK getting shot. I was 5, watching TV when they broke in. I went to the kitchen, told mom, she started crying.

  I remember the fire that killed Chaffee, White, and Grissom.

  I remember landing on the moon. Hell, I put a tape recorder in front of the TV and recorded the audio.

  I think the first I heard of Apollo 13 was when the movie came out.

  Memories are funny things.

  --
  When the dust settled America realized it was saved by a porn star.

  Starting Score:	1		point
  Moderation		+2
  Interesting=2, Total=2
  Extra 'Interesting' Modifier		0
  Karma-Bonus Modifier		+1
  Total Score:		4

• Re:It's odd I don't remember this (Score: 4, Funny) by nitehawk214 on Monday April 13 2015, @02:56PM

  by nitehawk214 (1304) on Monday April 13 2015, @02:56PM (#169736)

  "Memory Is Like a Watchamacallit", Stephen Brust

  --
  "Don't you ever miss the days when you used to be nostalgic?" -Loiosh

  Parent

• Re:It's odd I don't remember this Re:It's odd I don't remember this (Score: 2) by frojack on Tuesday April 14 2015, @01:19AM

  by frojack (1554) on Tuesday April 14 2015, @01:19AM (#170137) Journal

  I think the first I heard of Apollo 13 was when the movie came out.

  Seriously?
  The whole world was watching that and holding its breath. It was in every paper every day and wall to wall on TV.

  I suppose an extended camping trip (or some other kind of long running trip) could have kept you away from the news. What about Kent State? Ever heard about that?

  --
  No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.

  Parent

  • Re:It's odd I don't remember this (Score: 2) by Snotnose on Tuesday April 14 2015, @02:25PM

    by Snotnose (1623) on Tuesday April 14 2015, @02:25PM (#170398)

    Yeah, seriously. I've wondered why I didn't notice at the time for years. No extended camping trip in April, I was home doing normal 14 y/o kid stuff.

    Kent State? Had nothing to do with space so I wouldn't have cared at the time. Think I learned about that from the CSN&Y song.

    --
    When the dust settled America realized it was saved by a porn star.

    Parent

• Re:It's odd I don't remember this (Score: 2) by davester666 on Tuesday April 14 2015, @08:32AM

  by davester666 (155) on Tuesday April 14 2015, @08:32AM (#170270)

  Well, most news outlets now seem to start with: "These are the five worse things people have done to each other today, somewhere on the planet. Enjoy."

  Parent