Apollo 14 - Transposition & Docking (Full Mission 2)

[@brianarbenz1329]

I was a 12-year-old space program lover who had to go to school the next day, but could simply not get to sleep after hearing on the radio that they had been unable to get docked with the LM. I finally nodded off, then woke up just as the next top of the hour newscast was starting, with the story being, the Apollo 14 crew finally had achieved docking. I was overjoyed and from that point on, I slept so well!

[@UzayiKesfet]

@@brianarbenz1329 fantastic story

[@UzayiKesfet]

this docking tv broadcast is probably the cleanest and has the best quality of all missions.

[@brianarbenz1329]

And longest -- with all the attempts it took to get capture.

[@mike4330]

I've been a voracious listener of the apollo loops, and it never ceases to amaze the ice water these guys had in their veins, the crew, ground control all of them. Even in capsule tape recordings, cool as cucumbers.

[@digitwidget]

To the best of my knowledge, the mystery of the docking probe glitch on 14 never was solved. The last 3 Apollo flights did not encounter the same difficulty, nor did Apollo/Soyuz or any of the Skylab flights, so the mystery will remain. But no mystery regarding your latest offering, Simon: you've given us another "stellar" effort. Good show. Thanks.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

See all that debris floating around? Roosa's concern with setting a record for fuel consumption caused the trouble.

[@dwmzmm]

I remember this VERY well as it happened. The networks had already signed off coverage of the Apollo - 14 mission after the crew made it to the parking orbit following the launch. Only to suddenly return with live coverage nearly 2 hours later when the docking difficulties became apparent following TLI. With the near disaster of Apollo - 13 fresh in our minds, it was obvious that the docking of Kitty Hawk and Antares be completed.

[@pinedelgado4743]

LM5 does it again!!! Your staff never ceases to amaze me!!! Thank you so much!!!

[@lunarmodule5]

staff?!

[@Nghilifa]

It's a one man operation sir!

[@hardakml]

Staff?!! Simon P Enterprises Ltd is a vast organisation of ...one!

[@lunarmodule5]

@@hardakml yeah strange how many don't know that

[@pinedelgado4743]

@@lunarmodule5 10-4, everyone who chimed in!! Got it now! But LM5 DOES do splendiferous work!!! :) :) :)

[@orionexplorer]

I don't remember this launch nor the problems with docking, it wasn't until my 20's that I heard what had happened I was 11 at the time of the flight. There was a bit of turmoil at home about me hogging the TV during the flights, we only had one TV just like everyone else. This was one flight that lost out on me getting to watch it. Great job as always, looking forward to Part 3 to follow this flight.

[@darcyj19]

Nothing I had read until relatively recently had even the slightest detail on the docking issue. It wasn't until I read Shepard and Slayton's book "Moon Shot" that I found out.

[@shellramsey1273]

What a neat surprise when I woke up this morning. Great as always, please keep them coming!! -Jim

[@PatGleeson123]

Outstanding coverage @lunarmodule5 - these projects should be part of the official NASA archive 🙂

[@lunarmodule5]

@@PatGleeson123 thanks Pat - as always, appreciate it

[@johnvrabec9747]

As usual, Simon, fantastic video. I agree with others, this could have very easily rang the death knell of the program. I was in 7th grade during this mission, and because it was during school, I don't remember too much about it, except Al and the most famous golf swing in history lol

[@lunarmodule5]

Thanks John - more to come on this one soon

[@williamporter9259]

I hate (uh) the apollo (uh) control (uh) Houston (uh) (pause for wheezing inhale) (lip sounds) ten-milyun five-hundred nautical miles downrange from not being annoying commentary. I love all of your beautiful quality videos, though! Thank you!

[@rand0m0nium]

Amazing how almost every Apollo mission had a problem that could have easily lead to total mission failure. Space exploration is not easy...

[@linuspoindexter106]

Brilliant!

[@matthewstone5576]

Any thoughts on what they would do if they were unable to dock with the LM? Would they have tried to salvage the mission with something in lunar orbit with the CSM (photography, etc?)

[@lunarmodule5]

they would have gone to alternative mission -in some previous mission Press Kits I recall them referring to alternate missions - High Earth Orbital/Lunar Fly By/Lunar Orbit - I have looked through the Apollo 14 Press Kit and there is no mention of alternatives. I would imagine they would have conducted a lunar orbit alternative mission - luckily they didnt have to make the decision! LM5

[@raulferri3842]

Un programma stupendo più passano gli anni più diventa insuperabile. Quella era la Nasa ora e stata annullata da un interesse privato e l Usa nel.futuro dovrà sottostare ai progressi e conquiste della Cina. E finita la Nasa rimane solo di quel.tempo queste memorabili imprese di un programma meraviglioso. Mi dispiace " ragazzi " mala Nasa e morta.

[@meghan-d1108]

Were the S-IV B maneuvering thrusters still active during T&D? Is that how it maintained attitude during all of those knocks?

[@davidmoser3535]

yup

[@komradkolonel]

If they had failed to dock it might have been the end of the Apollo program especially following the near disaster of Apollo 13. Some in congress were already trying to kill the program and it's very possible that 15-17 would have been canceled.

[@Nghilifa]

True. Even 17 came pretty close to being canceled even after the crew was selected and the training for the mission had already begun.

[@raulferri3842]

Grazie a tutti gli astronauti per il loro impegno passione e rischio. Ripeto la Nasa e morta dopo lo shuttle.

[@thedsr3578]

Docking problem! It took 6 attempts to finally dock with the LM.

[@johnvrabec9747]

The only thing I kept thinking about was the next docking event, after the ascent stage is rejoining the CSM after the landing. Can you imagine if they had the same problem? Talk about high anxiety! Lol

[@thedsr3578]

​@@johnvrabec9747Only imagine

[@thomaslohmann3808]

Senator Proxmire always tried to cancel the program. What a kill joy.

[@jimwatson842]

Proxmire would kill anything except a congressional pay raise.