Stories with Tag Lunar Mission

• Ed Smylie, Who Saved the Apollo 13 Crew with Duct Tape, Dies at 95

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  Posted: 2025-05-16 14:03:04

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  Ed Smylie, a NASA engineer crucial to the Apollo 13 rescue, died at 95. He designed the makeshift carbon dioxide scrubber that saved the astronauts from asphyxiation after an oxygen tank exploded, famously using duct tape and other readily available materials based on instructions radioed from Mission Control. His quick thinking and ingenuity under immense pressure were essential to the mission's survival and became a legendary example of improvisation in the face of a life-or-death crisis.

  Edward Smylie, a distinguished figure whose ingenious problem-solving under immense pressure played a pivotal role in the safe return of the imperiled Apollo 13 astronauts, has passed away at the venerable age of 95. His contribution to the dramatic rescue, a testament to human ingenuity and adaptability in the face of near-catastrophe, involved the design of a critical air filter adapter, fashioned, remarkably, with materials as commonplace as duct tape, cardboard, and plastic bags. This makeshift, yet life-saving, device, officially known as the "mailbox," enabled the astronauts to utilize the lunar module's square carbon dioxide scrubbers in the command module's round receptacles, a compatibility issue that threatened to fatally poison the crew with their own exhalations.

  Mr. Smylie, an engineer at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Manned Spacecraft Center, now known as the Johnson Space Center, in Houston, was presented with a seemingly insurmountable challenge when the Apollo 13 mission, intended to be the third manned lunar landing, experienced a crippling oxygen tank explosion on April 13, 1970. This catastrophic event, occurring more than 200,000 miles from Earth, not only jeopardized the moon landing but also placed the lives of astronauts James A. Lovell Jr., John L. Swigert Jr., and Fred W. Haise Jr. in grave danger. The explosion had severely damaged the command module's service module, the primary source of life support for the crew. Forced to utilize the lunar module, designed for only two astronauts for a short duration, as a lifeboat, the astronauts faced a critical shortage of oxygen and a buildup of toxic carbon dioxide.

  Smylie, along with a dedicated team of engineers, worked tirelessly against the relentless tick of the clock to devise a solution to the mounting carbon dioxide crisis. Using only the limited materials available to the astronauts on board – including duct tape, plastic bags from the flight plan covers, cardboard from a checklist cover, and hoses from spacesuits – they meticulously crafted a functional adapter that effectively connected the incompatible square lithium hydroxide canisters to the round receptacles of the command module’s system. This ingenious contraption, dubbed the "mailbox" due to its resemblance to a wall-mounted mailbox, proved instrumental in preventing a fatal buildup of carbon dioxide within the confined lunar module, ultimately ensuring the survival of the Apollo 13 crew.

  Smylie's quick thinking, resourcefulness, and dedication, demonstrated under extraordinary circumstances, became a symbol of the unwavering commitment and collaborative spirit that characterized the Apollo program. His contribution stands as a powerful reminder of the crucial role played by ground support personnel, alongside the astronauts themselves, in the success of manned space exploration. His legacy is not just the survival of the Apollo 13 crew, but a testament to the power of human ingenuity to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

  • Ed Smylie
  • Apollo 13
  • NASA
  • Space Exploration
  • Astronauts
  • Engineering
  • Problem Solving
  • Ingenuity
  • Duct Tape
  • Obituary
  • Spacecraft
  • Lunar Mission
  • Life Support
  • Emergency Repairs
  • American Hero

  Summary of Comments ( 15 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44005668

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN commenters express admiration for Ed Smylie's ingenuity and quick thinking in devising the carbon dioxide scrubber adapter that saved the Apollo 13 astronauts. Several highlight the contrast between this crucial, life-saving hack and the advanced technology surrounding the mission, emphasizing the importance of practical skills and improvisation. Some commenters share anecdotes about meeting Smylie or hearing him speak, describing him as humble and down-to-earth. Others discuss the broader significance of the Apollo 13 mission and the collaborative effort that brought the crew home safely. A few users also correct minor details in the original article or provide additional context about the mission and the lunar module's life support systems.

  The Hacker News post about Ed Smylie, who helped save the Apollo 13 crew, generated several comments reflecting on his ingenuity and the significance of his contribution. Many commenters expressed admiration for Smylie's quick thinking and problem-solving skills under immense pressure. The "mailbox" solution he devised, using duct tape and other readily available materials to create a makeshift carbon dioxide scrubber, was highlighted as a testament to his practical engineering prowess.

  Several commenters emphasized the importance of this seemingly simple fix, pointing out that it was crucial for the survival of the Apollo 13 astronauts. They praised Smylie and his team's ability to improvise a solution using limited resources and within a tight timeframe. Some comments also touched upon the broader significance of the Apollo 13 mission and the collective effort required to overcome the life-threatening challenges it presented.

  A few comments provided additional context or anecdotes related to the Apollo 13 mission and the ingenuity of the engineers involved. One commenter mentioned the contrast between the sophisticated technology of the spacecraft and the relatively low-tech solution that ultimately saved the crew, highlighting the importance of practical skills and adaptability even in the age of advanced technology. Another commenter discussed the human element of the Apollo 13 story, emphasizing the courage and resourcefulness of everyone involved.

  Overall, the comments on the Hacker News post reflect a deep appreciation for Ed Smylie's contribution to the Apollo 13 rescue and a broader admiration for the ingenuity and problem-solving skills displayed by the engineers and astronauts involved in the mission.

• Private Japanese lunar lander enters orbit around moon ahead of a June touchdown

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  Posted: 2025-05-07 09:31:53

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  Japanese startup ispace's HAKUTO-R Mission 1 lunar lander has successfully entered lunar orbit, marking a significant milestone for the first private mission to attempt a Moon landing. The lander is scheduled to attempt a soft landing in June within the Atlas crater, aiming to deploy payloads including a two-wheeled rover developed by the Japanese space agency JAXA, a rover from the United Arab Emirates, and a transformable lunar robot. The successful orbital insertion puts ispace on track to become the first private company to achieve this feat.

  In a significant advancement for private space exploration, the Japanese lunar lander, Hakuto-R Mission 1, developed by the Tokyo-based ispace, has successfully entered lunar orbit, paving the way for an anticipated landing attempt in June. This achievement marks a critical milestone not only for ispace but also for the global commercial space industry, representing Japan's inaugural foray into private lunar landings and potentially positioning it as the fourth nation to accomplish a soft landing on the Moon, following the United States, the Soviet Union, and China.

  After launching aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on December 11, 2023, the Hakuto-R lander embarked on a circuitous, fuel-efficient low-energy trajectory to the Moon. This journey, spanning several months and covering a vast distance, allowed the spacecraft to gradually approach its destination while minimizing propellant consumption. Upon reaching the vicinity of the Moon, the lander executed a critical orbital insertion maneuver, effectively capturing it within the Moon's gravitational influence. This maneuver, taking place on March 21, 2025, placed the Hakuto-R lander into a stable elliptical lunar orbit, from which it will progressively transition into lower orbits in preparation for the eventual descent and landing.

  The primary objective of this mission extends beyond merely achieving a soft landing. Hakuto-R carries a payload that includes the United Arab Emirates' Rashid rover, a small, four-wheeled robotic explorer designed to study the lunar surface. Additionally, the lander houses a two-wheeled, baseball-sized robot called SORA-Q, developed jointly by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the toy company TOMY, and Sony. Successfully deploying these payloads would signify a major step towards collaborative international lunar exploration and demonstrate the increasing role of private companies in facilitating scientific research on the Moon.

  The planned landing site for the Hakuto-R Mission 1 lander is within the Atlas crater, located in the northeastern quadrant of the Moon’s near side. This region offers relatively favorable terrain and lighting conditions, enhancing the probability of a successful landing. The upcoming weeks will be crucial for ispace as they meticulously monitor the lander's systems and fine-tune its trajectory in anticipation of the challenging landing attempt. Should the mission succeed, it will usher in a new era of commercial lunar exploration, opening up opportunities for further scientific discovery and resource utilization on the Moon, while also highlighting the increasing accessibility of space for private enterprises. This successful orbital insertion, therefore, represents a pivotal stepping stone towards achieving this ambitious goal and underscores the burgeoning capabilities of the private space sector.

  • Space Exploration
  • Moon Landing
  • Lunar Mission
  • Japan
  • Private Spaceflight
  • ispace
  • Hakuto-R
  • Robotics
  • Space Technology
  • Lunar Orbit
  • Unmanned Mission

  Summary of Comments ( 34 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43913705

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News commenters generally expressed excitement and cautious optimism about ispace's Hakuto-R mission. Several pointed out the significance of a private company achieving lunar orbit, viewing it as a positive step for space exploration and commercialization. Some discussed the technical challenges of the landing, particularly the complexities of terrain navigation and communication delays. A few commenters raised concerns about the lack of live coverage of the landing attempt, while others speculated on the potential scientific and economic benefits of future lunar missions, including resource extraction. There was also discussion about the broader context of the "new space race" and the growing involvement of private companies in space exploration.

  The Hacker News post titled "Private Japanese lunar lander enters orbit around moon ahead of a June touchdown" (linking to a Phys.org article about the same topic) has a modest number of comments, generating a brief discussion rather than a deep dive into the topic. The comments generally express positive sentiment towards the achievement of ispace, the private Japanese company behind the mission.

  Several comments focus on the significance of this event for the commercialization of space and the growing role of private companies in lunar exploration. One commenter remarks on the potential impact of this landing on Japan's space program, specifically highlighting how it could boost their standing in the international space community.

  There's a short thread discussing the technical challenges involved in lunar landing, with one commenter mentioning the difficulty of achieving a soft landing and the complexities of lunar gravity. Another comment expresses hope for the future of space exploration and the potential for more private companies to achieve similar feats.

  A couple of commenters pointed out that, while ispace is a Japanese company, much of its funding and personnel come from outside Japan, demonstrating the international collaborative nature of the project. One individual specifically mentions Luxembourg's involvement as an example.

  There isn't any significant controversy or debate within the comments section. The overall tone is one of cautious optimism and appreciation for the technological achievement. The discussion remains relatively surface-level, without delving deeply into technical specifics or broader implications beyond general remarks about the future of private space ventures.