# Apollo 13 movie question: Angle of reentry discussion, actors or archive? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 13, 2010, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-13-movie-question-angle-of-reentry-discussion-actors-or-archive/546563 "2010-07-13T17:50:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-13-movie-question-angle-of-reentry-discussion-actors-or-archive/546563/1 "2010-07-13T17:50:46Z")
There’s a scene in the movie in which someone is describing the reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere. It goes something like: “If the earth is a basketball, and the moon is a softball 30 feet away, the reentry window would be about the thickness of this sheet of paper.” This looked like archive footage to me, but I couldn’t id the people. Anyone??? ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-13-movie-question-angle-of-reentry-discussion-actors-or-archive/546563/2 "2010-07-13T18:08:25Z")
I don’t know, but consider that they performed the entry mostly on manual control-and came down within sight of the carrier sent to pick them up. That’s like hitting a hole-in-one on a 5 mile long hole. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-13-movie-question-angle-of-reentry-discussion-actors-or-archive/546563/3 "2010-07-13T18:41:54Z")
That’s like hitting a free throw from San Diego when the basket is in Orlando. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-13-movie-question-angle-of-reentry-discussion-actors-or-archive/546563/4 "2010-07-13T18:43:53Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > I don’t know, but consider that they performed the entry mostly on manual control-and came down within sight of the carrier sent to pick them up. I seem to remember hearing that of all of NASA’s manned space missions of that land-in-the-ocean era, Apollo 13 landed closest to its recovery vessel. ---
**Author:** ![Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swords_to_Plowshares)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-13-movie-question-angle-of-reentry-discussion-actors-or-archive/546563/5 "2010-07-13T19:02:00Z")
Since much of the dialogue is taken straight from NASA tanscripts and the whole thing is very historically accurate, it’s probable that this was actually said (although he may not have been speaking literally). ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-13-movie-question-angle-of-reentry-discussion-actors-or-archive/546563/6 "2010-07-13T19:04:22Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > I seem to remember hearing that of all of NASA’s manned space missions of that land-in-the-ocean era, Apollo 13 landed closest to its recovery vessel. Was the ship in the center of the recovery area, though? When my dad was in the Air Force, I was with him one day when he had to go in and pick something up, and we went past the squadron trophy case. Amidst all the banners and awards, there was something that was squashed flat. My dad told me it was a lamp that was used to mark the area for cargo drops. They landed a pallet right on top of it. Wouldn’t want the Apollo capsule to come down on the carrier, now would we? ---
**Author:** ![jonesj2205](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecc23a/32.png) [@jonesj2205](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonesj2205)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-13-movie-question-angle-of-reentry-discussion-actors-or-archive/546563/7 "2010-07-13T19:12:29Z")
Looks like Apollo 13 was close, but not closest: Apollo 13: 1.9 miles Apollo 14: 1.1 miles Apollo 15: 1.9 miles Apollo 16: 5.6 miles Apollo 17: 1.9 miles > **[Splashdown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splashdown_%28spacecraft_landing%29)** > > Splashdown is the method of landing a spacecraft by parachute in a body of water. It was used by crewed American space capsules prior to the Space Shuttle program, by SpaceX Dragon and Dragon 2 capsules and by NASA's Orion Multipurpose Crew Vehicle. It is also possible for the Russian Soyuz spacecraft to land in water, though this is only a contingency. The only example of an unintentional crewed splashdown in Soviet history is the Soyuz 23 landing. > As the name suggests, the capsule parachute... ---
**Author:** ![BlakeTyner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@BlakeTyner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlakeTyner)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-13-movie-question-angle-of-reentry-discussion-actors-or-archive/546563/8 "2010-07-14T00:07:26Z")
I cannot for the life of me source this, but I know that I read somewhere that the guy explaining the angle of reentry is actually Jeffrey Kluger, co-author of Lovell’s book “Lost Moon.” Lovell might point that out on the Apollo 13 commentary track…can’t recall. Edit: Yeah, it’s him. [http://www.thefutureoflife.com/speakers/kluger.htm](http://www.thefutureoflife.com/speakers/kluger.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-13-movie-question-angle-of-reentry-discussion-actors-or-archive/546563/9 "2010-07-14T00:14:37Z")
> [@jonesj2205](#): > > Looks like Apollo 13 was close, but not closest: > [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Wouldn’t want the Apollo capsule to come down on the carrier, now would we? Don Knotts landed on the carrier. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-13-movie-question-angle-of-reentry-discussion-actors-or-archive/546563/10 "2010-07-14T00:25:01Z")
> [@BlakeTyner](#): > > I cannot for the life of me source this, but I know that I read somewhere that the guy explaining the angle of reentry is actually Jeffrey Kluger, co-author of Lovell’s book “Lost Moon.” Thanks. I think that’s the person. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-13-movie-question-angle-of-reentry-discussion-actors-or-archive/546563/11 "2010-07-14T00:35:12Z")
> [@jonesj2205](#): > > Looks like Apollo 13 was close, but not closest: > > Apollo 13: 1.9 miles > Apollo 14: 1.1 miles > Apollo 15: 1.9 miles > Apollo 16: 5.6 miles > Apollo 17: 1.9 miles > > [Splashdown - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splashdown_%28spacecraft_landing%29) Jebus! That’s good shooting. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-13-movie-question-angle-of-reentry-discussion-actors-or-archive/546563/12 "2010-07-14T04:43:20Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > Thanks. I think that’s the person. Per the IMDB, [Jeffrey Kluger … Science Reporter (as Jeffrey S. Kluger)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112384/fullcredits#cast) CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-13-movie-question-angle-of-reentry-discussion-actors-or-archive/546563/13 "2010-07-14T07:52:46Z")
I’ve got an Apollo 13 question that I’m sure all the NASA geeks can answer. Why does Jim Lovell want his son to get a haircut when he has perfectly trimmed, short and tidy hair already? ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-13-movie-question-angle-of-reentry-discussion-actors-or-archive/546563/14 "2010-07-14T11:05:47Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I’ve got an Apollo 13 question that I’m sure all the NASA geeks can answer. > > Why does Jim Lovell want his son to get a haircut when he has perfectly trimmed, short and tidy hair already? Because 1)it’s the 60s, 2)Lovell is in the military and 3)his son attends a military academy. And his hair was not short enough for a military academy. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-13-movie-question-angle-of-reentry-discussion-actors-or-archive/546563/15 "2010-07-14T11:49:17Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Don Knotts landed on the carrier. But he was reluctant. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-13-movie-question-angle-of-reentry-discussion-actors-or-archive/546563/16 "2010-07-14T13:27:50Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > Per the IMDB, > [Jeffrey Kluger … Science Reporter (as Jeffrey S. Kluger)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112384/fullcredits#cast) > CMC fnord! Yeah, I had seend that, but that alone wasn’t enough to corroborate it, as quite a few scenes of archive footage with unidentified talking heads are used. I think Jules Bergman is one of the few who are actually ided onscreen. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-13-movie-question-angle-of-reentry-discussion-actors-or-archive/546563/17 "2010-07-14T20:54:27Z")
> [@](#): > > Jebus! That’s good shooting. But what’s up with those Apollo 16 slackers? (and I love the story of the squashed lantern trophy) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apollo-13-movie-question-angle-of-reentry-discussion-actors-or-archive/546563/18 "2010-07-14T21:05:16Z")
> [@](#): > > This looked like archive footage to me, but I couldn’t id the people. Anyone??? The film crew intentionally made some new footage look like archive footage. They succeeded well enough that a NASA official watching their launch scene (which was all done in the studio) thought it was archive footage of an actual launch.