Manned Space Flight Progress Report, No. 28 - January-April 1970

Duration: 20:39

Year Published: 1970

Format: 16mm

Sound: sound

Description: Produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, this government film looks at the progress made by the manned spaceflight program from January to April 1970. The report begins with the most important happening from the period: Apollo 13. Launched on April 11, 1970, the mission was to be the third to land on the Moon. 55 hours and 55 minutes into flight, however, an oxygen tank exploded in the Service Module, depleting the crew’s oxygen supply and causing multiple fuel cells to fail. NASA soon aborted the original mission, and the safe return and landing of the crew became the primary objective. The film shows how NASA personnel and the Apollo 13 crew deftly handled the life-threatening incident, with flight controllers and other astronauts offering round-the-clock support at Mission Control. Findings from the subsequent Apollo 13 Review Board are also explained. Next, the film details some of the scientific discoveries shared at the inaugural Lunar Science Conference in Houston. Finally, it reviews preparations for Skylab, the first space station, and concept designs for the future Space Shuttle program.