Minute 034: We Are Go For Launch

Flight Director Gene Kranz is “going around the horn,” asking for a Go / No-Go from the individual controllers. “Recovery?” asks Kranz. “Go!” replies Recovery. “CAPCOM?” asks Kranz. “We’re Go, Flight,” replies the CAPCOM. Kranz presses a button on his console. “Launch Control, this is Houston. We are Go for launch.” TITLE: LAUNCH CONTROL CENTER, CAPE KENNEDY, FLORIDA “Roger that, Houston,” says the Launch Director. “Pad Leader, what’s your status?” “We are go for launch. T-60 seconds and counting,” says a voice on the PA system. The VIP stands are packed with visitors. At the edge of the Atlantic shoreline, Ken Mattingly stands alone, next to his parked Corvette. He looks at the Saturn V, and then looks at his watch. The three astronauts wait for launch in their crew seats. Back at Mission Control, twin displays show the Saturn V on Pad 39A. Kranz clicks his pen several times, and waits. In the Command Module, Lovell wiggles his gloved fingers.  He looks at the Abort handle. Underneath Pad 39A, the sluiceways from the acoustic dampening channel snake back to the base of the Saturn V. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Gene Kranz: Ed Harris Launch Director: Andrew Lipschultz CAPCOM: Brett Cullen Guenter Wendt: Endre Hules