• Question: Who was on Apollo 13?

    Asked by THE BIG MAC to Col Op on 11 Mar 2016.
    • Photo: Columbus Operations

      Columbus Operations answered on 11 Mar 2016:

      There were 3 NASA astronauts on board Apollo 13:
      – James Lovell (Commander)
      – John Swigert (Command Module Pilot)
      – Fred Haise (Lunar Module Pilot)

      Although originally John Swigert wasn’t supposed to be on the mission! The original Command Module Pilot (Ken Mattingly) was exposed to the German measles virus by a colleague one week before the launch. The risk of him becoming sick during the mission was too high, therefore the backup Command Module Pilot (John Swigert) was chosen to go instead.

      In manned spaceflight we always have a backup option! The missions are very complex, expensive, and can take years to plan and develop. This means that we always need to be prepared and have alternative options in case something goes wrong.

      Katie

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