Failure is NOT an Option - 50th Anniversary of Apollo 13's Safe Return Home

Posted by Galaxy Star Apparel on

"Houston, we've had a problem."

50 years ago Apollo 13 Mission Commander Jim Lovell spoke these words as he informed NASA mission command of an explosion on board.

Celebrations in the Mission Control Center, after the successful return of the Apollo 13 mission. Dr. Donald K. Slayton (in black shirt, left of center), director of flight-crew operations at MSC, and Chester M. Lee of the Apollo-program directorate, Office of Manned Space Flight, shake hands, while Dr. Rocco A. Petrone, Apollo-program director, Office of Manned Space Flight (standing, near Lee), watches the large screen showing astronaut James A. Lovell Jr. In the foreground, Glynn S. Lunney (far left) and Eugene F. Kranz (smoking a cigar), two Apollo 13 flight directors, view the activity from their consoles.
Celebrations in the Mission Control Center, after the successful return of the Apollo 13 mission. PHOTO CREDIT: NASA

Apollo 13 would never make it to the moon, but the perseverance and ingenuity of the Astronauts and the team at Mission Control is remembered today as well all of the moon missions except the Apollo 11 mission. 

"Failure is not an option." These words now immediately bring the mind to NASA and the precision with which NASA engineers, astronauts and flight controllers must work to prevent the millions of problems that could happen when you pack fragile humans into a sardine can and send them into orbit on top of a giant controlled explosion. 

In addition to having a great story, it never hurts to be represented by a stunning logo. The Apollo 13 crew patch features Apollo, the sun god of Greek mythology, represented as the sun, with three horses driving his chariot across the surface of the Moon, symbolizing how the Apollo flights have extended the light of knowledge to all mankind. The Latin phrase “Ex Luna, Scientia” means “From the Moon, Knowledge.”

We have a great selection of Apollo 13 apparel and gifts featuring its impressive mission patch. The beautiful mission patch sure helps Apollo 13 to be so well remembered.

 Apollo 13 Mission Patch 11 oz Coffee Mug


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  • These guys were regular McGuyvers!

    James Hoskins on

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