A carbon dioxid absorber to the rescue
A carbon dioxid absorber to the rescue
The explosion within the Apollo 13 service module released large quantities of oxygen into space. The fuel cells shutdown. The Command Module’s supply of electricity, water and breathable air was at risk. All three astronauts had to leave Odyssey and move to the Aquarius Lunar Module. Designed to house only two people, the craft quickly filled with dangerous levels of carbon dioxide. Using just two lithium hydroxide canisters, hoses from the spacesuits, bags, socks, duct tape and plastic-coated cue cards, Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert (right) and Fred Haise fashioned an adapter, dubbed 'the mailbox' (image). The absorbers worked and the three astronauts survived - albeit barely.
