Difference between revisions of "Apollo 13"
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Revision as of 05:07, April 11, 2007
Apollo 13 was the lunar mission that made famous the phrase, "Houston, we've had a problem," on April 11, 1970. The "problem" was the explosion of an oxygen tank, which irreparably damaged the spacecraft.
The world broke out in prayer, with special services held at the Chicago Board of Trade, St. Peter's Basilica by the Pope, at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem and even the U.S. Senate in the form of a resolution urging prayer.[1]
The crew built an oxygen filter, jump-charged the command module batteries, and then manually steered the craft ship to land in the ocean not far from a hurricane.
President Nixon gave thanks at Kawaiahao Church, the oldest Christian Church in Hawaii, on April 19, 1970: [2]
- When we learned of the safe return of our astronauts, I asked that the Nation observe a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving today .... This event reminded us that in these days of growing materialism, deep down there is still a great religious faith in this Nation. ... I think more people prayed last week than perhaps have prayed in many years in this country .... We pray for the assistance of God when ... faced with ... great potential tragedy.