Apollo 13 Mission Challenges and Solutions

Apollo 13 was intended to be NASA's third moon landing but turned into a survival mission after an oxygen tank explosion. The crew, consisting of James Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise, faced critical challenges, including limited resources and rising carbon dioxide levels. Ground control devised a plan using the moon's gravity to slingshot the spacecraft back to Earth. Despite the odds, the crew safely returned, marking a historic moment in space exploration.

What was the original objective of the Apollo 13 mission?

• To land on Mars

• To orbit the Earth

• To repair a satellite

• To land on the Moon

What caused the Apollo 13 mission to change from a moon landing to a survival mission?

• An oxygen tank explosion

• A communication failure

• A meteor strike

• A fuel leak

Which module did the crew use for life support after the explosion?

• The command module

• The service module

• The space shuttle

• The lunar module Aquarius

How did the crew manage the rising carbon dioxide levels in the Aquarius?

• By increasing oxygen supply

• By building a mailbox with plastic bags and tape

• By using a special filter

• By opening a window

What innovative solution did the ground controllers devise to remove carbon dioxide?

• A new air filter

• A makeshift device using available materials

• An oxygen mask

• A chemical reaction

What was the key maneuver used to return Apollo 13 to Earth?

• An emergency landing on Mars

• A gravitational slingshot around the Moon

• A direct descent

• A manual landing

What was the main concern about the command module during re-entry?

• The fuel running out

• The communication system failing

• The heat shields being damaged

• The parachutes not deploying

On what date did the Apollo 13 crew safely return to Earth?

• April 11, 1970

• April 19, 1970

• April 13, 1970

• April 17, 1970

What was the speed of the command module as it approached Earth?

• 50,000 km/h

• 40,000 km/h

• 30,000 km/h

• 20,000 km/h

What is a significant achievement of the Apollo 13 mission?

• Longest spacewalk

• Farthest human travel into space

• First use of a space shuttle

• First moon landing