Minute 118: One Whole Side of the Spacecraft is Missing

The detached Service Module rolls away from the Command Module. Jack Swigert floats through the docking tunnel, carrying a camera. “Okay, Houston, our Service Module is free,” says Lovell. “We’re gonna take a look at what we have here.” “Copy that, says Mattingly. “There it is. I see it,” says Haise, looking out the LM Pilot window. Lovell sees it as well, as the SM rolls its damaged side toward their windows. “Oh, Houston,” says Lovell. “We’re getting our first look at the Service Module now. One whole side of the spacecraft is missing! Right by the high gain antenna — the whole panel is blown out. Right up — right up to our heatshield.” Mission controllers listen intently. “Uh, copy that, Aquarius,” says Mattingly. “It looks like it got the engine bell, too. Can you see that?” asks Haise. “Oh, man,” says Swigert, “That’s incredible.” Mattingly looks at Slayton. “The heatshield,” says Slayton. On television, Jules Bergman holds a blowtorch to a model of a heat shield. “The heat will build up to as much as three or four thousand degrees Fahrenheit,” says Bergman. “On a lunar re-entry flight, the heat approaches four thousand degrees.” Neil Armstrong attempts to distract Blanch Lovell’s attention. “So Blanch,” says Neil. “Blanch, did — did Jim make Eagle Scout or not?” IN THIS MINUTE: Jules Bergman as Himself Max Elliott Slade as Jay Lovell Kevin Bacon as Jack Swigert Bill Paxton as Fred Haise Tom Hanks as Jim Lovell Gary Sinese as Ken Mattingly Loren Dean as John Aaron Clint Howard as Sy Liebergot Ed Harris as Gene Kranz Marc McClure as Glynn Lunney Chris Ellis as Deke Slayton Jean Speegle Howard as Blanch Lovell Mark Wheeler as Neil Armstrong Larry Williams as Buzz Aldrin