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Lot #4374
Apollo 13 AP Wire Teletype

"Houston we've got a problem here"—an AP teletype from the night of the Apollo 13 malfunction

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Estimate: $300+
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Description

"Houston we've got a problem here"—an AP teletype from the night of the Apollo 13 malfunction

Historic Associated Press teletype from the night of the Apollo 13 explosion, April 13, 1970, one page, 8.5 x 24, including a report by aerospace writer Paul Recer and an "urgent" addition. Recer's report reads, in part: "Apollo 13 lost substantial electrical power Monday night, threatening to cancel man's third landing on the moon…'Houston we've got a problem here…a problem with the on board electrical power system,' commander James A. Lovell Jr. announced from space. He said oxygen feeding one of the electrical supply cells had been exhausted after a sudden power surge and the loss of electrical power from one circuit. There are also batteries on board the craft for just such an emergency." Below, the "urgent" correction clarifies: "With that amount of power permanently gone, the astronauts would not take a chance on going to the moon. But one fuel cell would be enough to swing around the moon and return to earth. They also have backup batteries in case the third cell should fail." In fine condition.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Space & Aviation
  • Dates: #538 - Ended October 18, 2018