[Apollo 13] Lost Moon; seen from the lifeboat LM Aquarius just after...

[Apollo 13] Lost Moon; seen from the lifeboat LM Aquarius just after the “slingshot pass“. J. Swigert or F. Haise, 11–17 April 1970. Printed 1970. Vintage chromogenic print on fiber-based Kodak paper [NASA image AS13–61-8797]. 25.4×20.3 cm (10×8 in), with ”A Kodak Paper“ watermarks on the verso, numbered ”NASA AS13–61-8797" in red in top margin (NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston, Texas).

A very rare unreleased photograph from the incredible journey of Apollo 13. Following their pass over the Moon’s backside, the Apollo 13 crew had two hours before firing Aquarius’s descent engine to correct their flight path so that they could head back home. Before that, they took the opportunity to photograph the Moon they left behind. This fabulous view of the full Moon was taken through the 60mm lens of the lunar surface 500EL Hasselblad Data camera and color magazine 61/II, showing a great portion of the backside never seen from Earth.

The 24 astronauts of the Apollo missions between December 1968 and December 1972, including the Apollo 13 crew, were the only humans to witness views of the Moon from such a perspective.

“Around the Moon, when we were getting ready for this PC plus 2 burn [firing the LM’s descent rocket two hours after the craft’s closest approach to the Moon], [...] these guys [Fred Haise and Jack Swigert] were interested in looking at the backside of the Moon. I’d seen the backside of the Moon. I’m trying to make sure that that thing is going to light off when we get started.” James Lovell (Chaikin, Voices, p.146).

From the mission transcript before the critical burn of the Descent Propulsion Engine of the LM needed to correct their flight path for the journey back to Earth:

079:06:31 Brand: Okay, Aquarius. We have some new information regarding what you should see out the commander’s window at TIG (Time of Ignition). Over. 079:06:44 Lovell: Okay. Go ahead. 079:06:48 Brand: According to calculations - calculations, you should see the Moon. It’ll be a full Moon. You should see most of the disk [...] 079:07:38 Lovell: Okay, Houston. I concur. I’m looking at 14 on the LPD and the angle is just about centered. It’s south of Crisium, but it’s - The line is just slightly to the north of center.

Condition Report:Excellent condition.

Category:Photos ▸ Vintage photographs