Looking Back At Apollo 13 After 50 years: Harry Smith Talks To Jim Lovell | TODAY

It was 50 years ago Monday that the words “Houston, we’ve had a problem” were spoken. For TODAY, Harry Smith talks to mission commander Jim Lovell the explosion on Apollo 13 and the subsequent rescue mission that tested NASA like never before.
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#Apollo13 #NASA #TodayShow
Looking Back At Apollo 13 After 50 years: Harry Smith Talks To Jim Lovell | TODAY

[@internetpeople6113]

Apollo missions were America at its finest. I miss those days now.

[@bassboylowg]

Artemis missions right around the corner

[@heavenstomurgatroyd7033]

Nah the best is yet to come.....l know I was an Aerospace Engineer.

[@bremCZ]

Apollo 1 wasn't that fine.

[@davidking6617]

At its finest with Nazi scientists and rocket technology.

[@pendulebone]

@@davidking6617 you mean with bunch of the smartest brain of occidental civlization ? ok ;)

[@ThePopcornFairy]

Jim Lovell was described as one of the most well-liked and laid back astronauts of his time. It's nice to know that even now in his nineties, he's still a well-spoken, kind, jovial man. It makes me sad that I'll have to see him go at some point in my life, but I will smile knowing that he'll finally touch the moon when that day comes. For now, I'm happy to still have him and so many other heroes of that wondrous era around.

[@Surfer041]

Jim was raised by his mother Blanche since he was 5. His dad had been killed in a car accident during the great depression. He got his strength from his mother.

[@bretsonenstein]

Glad to see that Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Buzz are still with us 50 years later! 👍

[@bretsonenstein]

@@ebam2009 Frank Borman too.

[@OneKnight1234]

I went to the Frank Borman elementary school on the Air Force base in southern AZ lol. Not sure if that counts but I thought it was relevant in some way

[@unnamedchannel1237]

I love buzz light-year

[@allansouzaaju7817]

Michael Collins too!!

[@ertorolrahmadow95]

@@allansouzaaju7817 not anymore :(

[@philippeh3904]

This is so cool that he’s still with us

[@suekennedy8917]

Someone needs to ask him why no Geiger counter to show the radiation level on the moon and inside the radioactive moon dust contaminated LEM.

[@ale131296]

Sue Kennedy be careful with your radioactive bananas

[@FrankyPi]

@@suekennedy8917 Each astronaut had radiation sensor on themselves, while SURGEON in the Mission Control tracked the telemetry.

[@suekennedy8917]

FrankyPi: I know! The sensors were made by Professor John Robinson from Lost in Space and Admiral Nelson from Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea! The SURGEON was Hawkeye from MASH. Thanks for your edited comment. FrankyPi2 hours ago (edited)Highlighted reply@Sue Kennedy Each astronaut had radiation sensor on themselves, while SURGEON in the Mission Control tracked the telemetry.

[@FrankyPi]

@@suekennedy8917 Yikes, we got a disabled one here.

[@jamesthewineguy]

Capt. Lovell is an amazing person--so humble, bright and a great role model and hero!

[@mooradchoudhry4035]

What a gentleman Mr Lovell is...such incredible calmness during the crisis, and then to hear him speaking about it 50 years later - so charming, so humble. What a rare and inspirational person. God Bless Him.

[@shawnbrennan2583]

Those 3 men had the biggest balls in space, during that flight.

[@RyanB1987]

They were the only balls in space at the time.

[@ed0985587]

@@RyanB1987 what about the aliens!!?!

[@RyanB1987]

@@ed0985587 How do you know they have balls?

[@olivergrumitt2601]

With the recent death of James McDivitt, Jim Lovell and Frank Borman are now the oldest surviving people who travelled into space and also the earliest US flight, Gemini 7, with Jim Lovell and Frank Borman, whole crew members are still alive. It was such a shame Jim Lovell never got the chance to walk on the Moon, but at least and his crew mates on Apollo 13 got home safely against the odds and Jim Lovell and Fred Haise are still with us over 52 years after the ill fated flight and have been able to enjoy all those years with their families.

[@brianyoung2683]

I got to meet both of them about 8 years ago at Spacefest in Tucson. They were awesome guys. Lovell had a long line to see him but I got to speak with Haise for several minutes.

[@DanielVerberne]

Unfortunately, Frank Borman has also passed away quite recently.

[@stephenhicks826]

I was a 16 year old student in Australia at the time and and remember it like it was yesterday. The U.S. space program was a series of stunning achievements which speak for themselves and of which the USA should be truly proud.

[@deanm375]

I was five years old when this happened. My parents had their friends over to watch the re-entry and I remember all the adults in the room erupt in cheers and celebraion once Jim Lovell's voice came though the TV.

[@bigfatpikle]

The sheer amount of intelligence and capability at NASA was awesome. Those guys didn't stop or sleep until the crew was safe. It will always amaze me that such incredible minds worked together in such perfect harmony that the astronauts not only came back alive, but healthy and ready to go again......

[@davidmessersmith786]

Jim L is on my bucket list of a few people that I would want to meet before we die. I was 14 when this happened and I also was glued to the TV throughout the event including the session right before the explosion. It had a huge influence in my career selection in the engineering field so I could help solve ‘problems’. Thanks again for all you did Mr Lovell.

[@JohnRoland]

I shook his hand at an Eagle Scout banquet in 1990. Super guy

[@davidmessersmith786]

@@JohnRoland that is great. I did get to meet Buzz A a few years back at a special event at the George Bush Library and museum at Texas A&M. Great experience with him and a few other astronauts there.

[@eddcast3]

What an incredible team. Thank you Mr. Lovell

[@faultlessguitarsandamps1116]

God bless America (from a Brit) . This was a very fine time in history . The entire space program filled with people to admire from the ground up .

[@digigarb]

Wow! 92 years old! What a legend

[@Carpenterdane]

I remember this and crying when they landed in the ocean.

[@starlaminde8436]

I had the honor of seeing Mr.Lovell and his wife once a week, I was a bank teller in Marble Falls, Tx where they resided in a small town over named Horseshoe Bay, Tx. They were so courteous and wonderful customers of mine…even remembering my birthday and bring me cupcake! This was about 1996/1997 time frame.

[@ARichardP]

Listening to the real-time streaming of the entire Apollo 13 mission now. What a treasure these guys are. Jim Lovell’s great voice, coolness, intelligence and confidence. And Fred Haise is still with us. Swigert gone a long time but lives again. The many engineers and others in Mission Control who worked together so hard to get these heroes home - God bless you all. Such a fine moment for America and the world. And it’s my mom’s birthday, too. Happy Birthday, Mom! I remember watching the splashdown as a nine year-old boy. What a moment to have as a memory.

[@midnightriderart]

This was a beautiful testimony.

[@fijagorockabilly4527]

Without out a doubt, landing on the moon was our greatest physical and engineering achievement but for me it's dead heat tie with getting these guys back to earth. An outstanding accomplishment that will never cease to amaze me

[@chameleon871]

Well said. So true.

[@gugabrasa]

Amazing! That's history! We don't see things like that anymore nowdays...true heroes!

[@MrJimmy3459]

We all should cherish these brave men, because in a few years they will no longer be with us

[@ottokrieg]

Thank you for this piece

[@WINGSANDRAILS]

This story still amazes me!! 3 heroes!!

[@Tombee83]

I wasn't even born yet, but this really was an amazing moment in time. I have always been astounded by the apollo space missions. Well done to all involved.

[@robertw5391]

Understatement definitely. So glad they staid calm cool and smart

[@SeanOmlet]

I have one of his golf balls! I found it in my grandmas backyard and she lives right behind the golf course he plays at! It’s a titleist NXT Tour and on the side it says “Misplaced by Capt. Jim Lovell Enjoy My Golfball” :) found around august 2020, definitely a keeper

[@peterherriott237]

I wish the term” we have a problem” would stop being used. As it can be clearly heard both Swigert and Lovell said” we’ve HAD a problem

[@14santiago52]

Why does it matter?

[@peterherriott237]

santiago~ it matters because it’s a moment in history, it should be remembered for what it was, not what some Hollywood producer thinks it was or should have been. It would be the same as if they reckon Churchill said “ we shall NOT surrender” when in fact he said “ we shall NEVER surrender”. You might not think it matters but, if it’s that simple a difference then why not get it right?

[@landochabod7]

The exact wording is in the tapes anyway, and it isn't more relevant than what most people remember. In fact, "we have a problem" is just a better phrase for the situation the Apollo 13 crew were in,, as their woes had just begun. There's also no shortage of pedants reminding people of what the exact wording was, just like with "Luke, I am your father" and a bunch of other quotes. As a comparison, we don't know the original wording of the Gettysburg address as it was delivered, but that doesn't make it any less iconic.

[@AestheTH1C]

RIP Jack Swigert

[@paulmd2010]

Jim Lovell is one of the greatest Americans ever.

[@sarahthelibrarian7591]

I’ve been lucky enough to see the Apollo 13 Command Module on display at the KS Cosmosphere several times. It is amazing to be so close to such history.

[@zapfanzapfan]

Maybe Jim Lovell should get another chance in 2024 :-)

[@thomaschacko6320]

Incredible story! I remember the details of when it actually happened. Sheer courage and ingenuity at work!And the film, by Ron Howard, was absolutely authentic! Too bad Jack Swigert didn't live to see it. But Jim Lovell was thrilled that Tom Hanks was selected to play him!

[@ollyje9667]

Really? I saw in an Interview that he thought Kevin Costner would have been more suitable. However he accepted Tom Hanks after the film was made.

[@Vikezupa]

Problems? We don’t have problems. Those guys had problems and they handled it like a boss.

[@HTub-bo2yl]

Thank you Jim Lovell🇺🇸

[@hikesystem7721]

Jim Lovell is my hero! I would love to hear him speak one day!

[@bretsonenstein]

It’s 10:06 PM. Time to stir the tanks again!

[@ozair8987]

They must have needed unbelievable amounts of thrust to launch those 6 massive balls of steel into space.

[@olivergrumitt8033]

It is a great shame that Jim Lovell was never able to walk on the Moon, he thoroughly deserved to have had the opportunity. But he will go down in spaceflight history as a commander whose courage and that of his 2 companions and their calmness retrieved a seemingly hopeless and catastrophic emergency thousands of miles out in space and return home miraculously to Earth. Jim Lovell and his crew mates Fred Haise and Jack Swigert showed their nation and the world exactly why they were selected as astronauts in the first place. Sadly, Jack Swigert died in 1982 from cancer. But both Jim Lovell and Fred Haise are still alive today - Jim Lovell, along with Frank Borman, With whom he travelled into space twice, is the oldest surviving astronaut. I was lucky to meet both Jim Lovell and Fred Haise some years ago now and both of them signed a spaceflight book for me. They were and no doubt still are, both very nice gentlemen. I believe Jim Lovell would have made a more suitable man to be the first person on the Moon than Neil Armstrong. Neil Armstrong, while an excellent astronaut and I have no doubt whatsoever about his capabilities in that job, was a very private person and a more outgoing and approachable man like Commander Lovell would have made a far better job of representing NASA and as an ambassador for the space programme to the public.

[@amk19881]

Jim has aged very well

[@TimothyOBrien1958]

I met him once in Houston just walking through the campus of the Space Center. I met some other astronauts and flight controllers. Was so awesome back in the 70s. You could walk around most places (not IN all places before you attack me).

[@evoman1776]

Most people know he also went up on Apollo 8....the first humans to leave earth's orbit and orbit the moon. I've never heard him talk of this, but it's interesting to note, that if the same thing had occurred on Apollo 8 they would have all died. Since Apollo 8 was not going to land on the moon, the Lunar Module, which wasn't ready anyway, did not go with them. They would have had no lifeboat.

[@wimkuijpers1342]

I remember it was at Christmas time. And the picture of the 'Earth' rise.

[@adrianramriez9045]

the balls on these guys and the brains at mission control god bless

[@77J]

2020 was the 50th anniversary of the mission and the 25th anniversary of the movie directed by Ron Howard.

[@Werrf1]

We need the Artemis program to get up and running ASAP so we can finally get this man the moonwalk he more than earned.

[@goatlogico]

There is a sad story behind the happy smile ❤️Jim Lovell

[@ertorolrahmadow95]

Cant really believe that he is 93 years old

[@robertmoir-vj1kq]

they survived by just a narrow margin but that s better than not surviving at all and 50 years do go by fast

[@jeffj9322]

Happy Birthday James "Jim" Arthur Lovell Jr. born on March 25, 1928. He is an American retired astronaut, naval aviator, test pilot and mechanical engineer. In 1968, as command module pilot of Apollo 8, he became, with Frank Borman and William Anders, one of the first three astronauts to fly to and orbit the Moon. He then commanded the Apollo 13 lunar mission in 1970 which, after a critical failure en route, circled the Moon and returned safely to Earth. - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Lovell

[@DanielVerberne]

I'm not normally one for engaging in hero-worship, but I think individuals like Jim Lovell really earn the description of being 'heroic'. It's incredible that he's still with us at the time I'm writing this comment in the year 2023 and I find the man's attitude and personality warm and engaging. Bravo to an incredible man, incredible achievements and for adding to the wealth of human knowledge and experience.

[@sechandler]

Sad to think that the days of patriotism and pride in our fellow Americans is gone. How do you think the youth of today would have reacted?

[@wrightyy]

I absolutely love this guy. He is definitely my favourite astronaut, but I don't know why.

[@satchpersaud8762]

This Apollo mission is amazing, shows how nassa stopped at nothing less than success

[@morganmiller376]

Balls of steel

[@hhluvzmagik]

I was reading a story recently that of the 12 men who walked on the moon, only 4 are still with us: Buzz Aldrin, Dave Scott, Charlie Duke and Harrison Schmitt. And I know I'm not the only one who laughed when Harry told the story of Marilyn Lovell giving the thumbs down at the press conference. 🤣

[@mrfrankiej932]

They knew they'd had a serious electrical problem and lost their oxygen supply in the service module. But I'm sure the crew was absolutely gobsmacked when they jettisoned it and saw for themselves just how severe the damage was. You can hear it in Lovell's voice "And there's one whole side of that spacecraft missing. The whole panel is blown out almost from the base to the engine."

[@jessekiefer0206]

From real life to the movie the understanding of what these astronauts went through just to get back home!

[@betsyb]

a great moment in history when a group of some of the smartest people in the world put all of their combined knowledge and expertise together to save 3 lives. still hard to believe that this actually happened and didn’t come from the plot of a movie

[@calql8er]

I've always had two questions about the mission. But I shall ask only one. If it was so cold in the space craft why didn't they put on their space suits? Seems to me that would certainly have at least kept them warm.

[@smeeself]

It seems that you tube doesn't like the link I sent so, just search; " Today I found out Apollo 13 keep warm". It will be the first link.

[@coldcuts1631]

I aLways Liked the frogmen🐸. I thoughT thaT they were socooL🐧

[@kdub1242]

Maracas of steel.

[@MrGruffteddybear]

Everything didn’t go wrong. One thing went horribly wrong. Everything after that went right. That’s why they got home alive.

[@user7966]

imagine signing up for apollo missions after apollo 1, im surprise anyone was willing to do it.

[@willoughbykrenzteinburg]

Well, technically - everyone who flew on an Apollo mission was "signed up" prior to Apollo 1. Nobody else signed up because NASA wasn't accepting new astronauts. The entire fleet of astronauts that would fly on Apollo missions was signed up prior to Apollo 1.

[@ericjamieson]

I realize it's totally fictional but I've always loved the scene in Apollo 13 where they have to make the Command Module CO2 scrubbers fit into the Lunar Module: "We gotta make this, fit into the hole for this, using nothing but that!" (In reality some NASA engineers knew all along that they might have to do this at some point and had thought about solutions, and the engineer responsible came up with the final idea while driving to work that morning).

[@suekennedy8917]

Mee two! Funny how duct tape and a Geiger counter are not in the Apollo 13 Press Kit. I guess those brilliant engineers forgot lots of things.

[@ronaldgarrison8478]

6:50 No, everything did not go wrong. One really big thing went wrong, but there was a lot else available to draw on, and that's how they made it through. The oxygen did NOT deplete before they got in the LM. The heat shield did NOT get damaged. The CM computer did NOT fail when exposed to freezing temperatures. The wiring did NOT short out when ice thawed out in re-entry. They did NOT get irretrievably off course. The CO2 scrubbing canisters did NOT fail. On the whole, things worked as they should, because they were designed and built well.

[@gruntforever7437]

The Apollo program was truly cutting edge; we were truly pushing the envelope as the test pilots would say. Sadly NASA no longer does this; play it safe is all they do. Jim Lovell was incredibly respected at NASA; one of the best of the very best.

[@georgeemil3618]

Did Lovell and Haise really treat Swiggart as the odd man out as portrayed in the movie?

[@angeloxdmt]

if i ever somehow become an astronaut i would want to get buried on the moon

[@edgough9539]

Jim is great, my favorite, a true NASA icon and hero. But, how in Gods name does a critical component as in an 02 tank get dropped and not inspected, WTH!, I work for GM and diagnose and repair Ev's, mind you its not a spacecraft, but, if i was too drop a power inverter module with thousands of circuits and chips it would never get installed, horrible decision by the makers, and could have been deadly

[@TheNigel55]

Who decided to take a roll of duck tape

[@tedpeterson1156]

They carried it on the earlier Gemini and Mercury programs so no reason to stop.

[@rifelaw]

Of the Apollo astronauts, Lovell, McDivitt, Borman, Stafford, Scott, Aldrin, Cunningham, Schweickart, Anders, Schmitt, Mattingly, Haise, Duke, Brand, and Engle are still around. Aldrin, Scott, Schmitt, and Duke walked on the Moon. Worden died just before this was posted. Collins died this year.

[@kylewood8327]

Great segment except for where Don Lemonade was present! 🤥

[@pant104]

Kevin Bacon got lucky.

[@TomSmith-kc8mz]

The astronauts didn't blow up their own ship, that's the difference between then and what's going on now.

[@stupoc6715]

You slaughtered ,and cut off one of Richard Nixons most Famous, and dignified speeches he Ever, gave. Bravo to you.

[@AthenaSaints]

SpaceX should send Lovell back to the Space Station.

[@ChloeLouiseeB]

Back? Lovell has never been to the ISS.

[@alf6259]

I was just a sperm when this happened, man I was a good swimmer !!!

[@jamaldarius7291]

i just wish he could finally get his chance to walk on the moon:(

[@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504]

I don't believe he even went.

[@smeeself]

@Please permit me to speak oh great one Your "beliefs" don't change the fact that he did.

[@FlexinGains]

why have we not gone back to the MOON let that soak in, was it the money issue, or was it a creature , an entity, that we SEEN, that spooked us.

[@joevignolor4u949]

It was a loss of continued political support, which translated into a reduction in NASA's budget. During the 1960's we were in a cold war rivalry against the Soviets. This translated into increased funding for NASA and the willingness to take the risks involved. Then once we won the race things changed. That's why the last three landings were cancelled. The situation remained the same until now because we are in a new competition against the Chinese.

[@Sumtoshi]

1:35 “we are venting something out into the uh.. into space”. Did he almost slip and say into the studio? 😂

[@PureFPSPwnage]

Did you almost slip up and admit how much of a dork you are?

[@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504]

I too don't believe we even went.

[@philcoombes2538]

​@@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504 No...

[@user-or9cj3vk6t]

Anyone see Stanley Kubrick 'the elephant stood in the room' during this performance?

[@MoteroP]

Hahahaha

[@suekennedy8917]

Nobody asks the liar why duct tape and a Geiger counter are not in the Apollo 13 Press Kit.

[@eddiedingle7689]

Oh look, more fake moon landing propaganda. It was cute, but it didn't really happen.

[@briocherockets]

What's your proof?

[@philipneslow6609]

Well, Eddie Dingle - apt name by the way - since they did not land on the moon, there is no moon landing propaganda. Now if you want to say that this did not happen, that's your choice. But, two people usually can't keep a secret, and three forget about it. Some cast of thousands to keep their mouths shut 50 years on, now that's propaganda!