阿波罗13号 Apollo 13

Apollo 13
(Drama/Adventure) (1995)
Major Characters

Jim Lovell……………………………………Tom Hanks
     The greatly respected commander of Apollo 13.

Fred Haise……………………………………Bill Paxton
     The second astronaut that was planning to walk on the moon with Jim.

Jack Swigert………………………………..Kevin Bacon
     The pilot of the command module that was going to circle
     the moon while Jim and Fred walked on the lunar surface.

Ken Mattingly………………………………Gary Sinise
     The original pilot of the command module, who was replaced by Jack
     at the last moment, because of health concerns by NASA doctors.

Gene Kranz………………………………….Ed Harris
     The head of Mission Control in Houston, Texas, which is
     responsible for guiding all of the missions into outer space.

Marilyn Lovell………………………………Kathleen Quinlan
     Jim’s wife, and the mother of his three kids.


Plot Summary

This film is the true story of Apollo 13, the third American space mission to
the moon. It took place in the Spring of 1970, just one year after Neil Armstrong
became the first man to ever walk on the lunar surface, in July 1969. A couple days
after the rocket took off, an explosion dramatically changed the nature of the mission,
and what was to become the third trip to the moon was suddenly changed into a desperate
attempt to get the astronauts back home to earth. 

It is easy to forget just how difficult this was, for much of the spaceship had been
heavily damaged by the explosion. Over the course of four extremely tense days, specialists
in Houston and the astronauts themselves faced a variety of deadly challenges, from
the spaceship’s shortage of electrical power and breathable air to the risk of literally
getting lost in space. Ultimately, this is one of the truly amazing tales of human
skill and courage.

Some basic NASA-related vocabulary frequently used in this film:

NASA: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which is the government
agency responsible for all space exploration.

Mission Control: The highly computerized control center in Houston, Texas,
that guides all space missions. Often referred to as simply "Houston."

The Command Module: That part of the spaceship which was supposed to stay in orbit
around the moon. For Apollo 13, it was named "Odyssey" (which is a word that means
a great adventure or voyage).

The LEM: This is the Lunar Excursion Module, which was supposed to take two of
the three astronauts down to the moon’s surface after separating from the main rocket
("Lunar" is an adjective for anything related to the moon). For Apollo 13, it was
called "Aquarius," which is a constellation of stars.

Roger: A NASA/military way of saying OK.

Standby: A NASA/military way of saying  "please wait a moment."


Some Words and Expressions that You May not Know


           Jim and his crew learn they will be going to
             the moon sooner than they had thought.

The most hazardous and dangerous and greatest
adventure on which we have ever embarked.
     "Hazardous" is another way of saying dangerous.
     "To embark" on a trip is to leave, usually on a ship.

Tonight, a mere 18 months after the tragedy of
Apollo 1, the entire world watched in awe…
     "Mere" is an excellent little word meaning only or just.
     To be "in awe" of something is to be absolutely amazed or fascinated
     by it. It is often a feeling of respect mixed with fear and wonder.

The important thing when you’re penetrating the
lunar module is your attitude and relative speed.
     "To penetrate" an object is to enter into it, but be aware that this verb
     often has a very sexual connotation! The "lunar module" is the tiny part
     of a spaceship designed to actually land people on the moon.

This thing sticks out in front. It’s called a probe.
     A "probe" is a thin metal tool that is used to explore the
     inside of a hole, such as a wound in the human body.

Everything is clicking...it’s like no other feeling in the world.
     "To click" is to make a short and gentle sound, such as when using
     a computer mouse. When "everything is clicking," things are going well.

This guy did 10 laps.
     A lap is the distance traveled from one end of a
     swimming pool or race track to the other end.

They’re not gonna cut the program before #14.
     To "cut a program" such as space exploration is to stop giving it money.
     Note that "going to"-----> "gonna" in rapid speech.

He asked who we bribed to get on Jim Lovell’s crew.
     "To bribe" a person is to offer them money or gifts in exchange
     for favorable treatment. It is often unethical and even illegal.

I appreciate you coming to this dress rehearsal party for my Apollo 12 landing.
     A "dress rehearsal" is a practice session for actors in a play,
     or in this case, for astronauts needing to learn everything possible
     about their mission. "To rehearse" is to practice.

We should take a moment to recognize the exemplary, damn near heroic
display by Neil Armstrong’s backup for this historic moonwalk.
     "Exemplary" means outstanding or truly excellent. A "backup" is a person who will
     do the job of another if the first person can’t do what they were supposed to do.

And of course his crew.
     The "crew" of a ship are all the people on board who help to run it.

Do you think it’s too late for him to abort?
     "To abort" a mission is to stop or kill it, often right in the middle.

No, he needs somebody to wave him off!  Pull up!
     "To wave off" a person is to try and signal them to stop
     doing what they are in the process of trying to do.

His quote was "that’s one small step for man, one giant leap  for mankind."
     A "quote" is the exact words that person has used in the past. In this case,
     these are the words of Neil Armstrong as he set foot on the moon.

I bet Jeannie Armstrong doesn’t get a wink of sleep.
     "I bet" is a very common way of saying "I’m sure that…"
     A "wink" of sleep is a short time ("To wink" is to quickly open
     and shut your eyes, often in order to attract or flirt with someone).

On Apollo 8, we were so close….just 60 nautical miles down.
     A unit of measure used at sea, which equals about 1,800 meters.

That’s the sea of tranquility, and your mountain is on the edge of that.
     The "sea of tranquility" is a well known part of the moon’s surface
     (Tranquility is another word for peace or calm). The "edge" of a surface
     is the outside border, or line.

You gotta look harder.
     "You have got to look more seriously."
     Note that "have got to"---> ‘gotta’ in rapid speech.

"Give me a lever long enough, and I’ll move the world."
     A "lever" is a bar or tool for moving something heavy or stiff.

That’s what we’re doing here. This is divine inspiration.
     An expression for something that has been motivated by or
     inspired by God ("Divine intervention" is an act of God on earth).

This is the actual launch vehicle that will be taking Alan Shepherd
and his crew on the first leg of the Apollo 13 mission.
     A "vehicle" is a car, ship or other type of transportation that can carry
     people and products. Trips are divided into "legs," or individual parts.

I’m slated to be the commander of Apollo 14.
     To be "slated" to do something is to be chosen and expected to do it.
     A "commander" is the leader or captain of a crew or group of people.

People are asking why we’re continuing to fund this program
now that we’ve beaten the Russians to the moon.
     "To fund" a project is to pay for it, often with taxpayer money. This is a
     reference to the fact that both the Americans and Russians wanted to be the
     first country to land on the moon, until the US did first in 1969.

It’s a highly technical process of cranking down
the window and looking for a gas station.
     Anything that is "highly technical" is complicated. A "process" is a key
     word for a series of actions that take place over time in order to accomplish
     something. "To crank down" a window is to lower it.

He hands out the astronauts’ flight assignments,
so we kick back part of our salaries to Deke.
     "Flight assignments" are the particular jobs or flights that each
     astronaut is told he will do. To "kick back" money to a person is to
     pay them for a favor, but this is often done in a way that is considered
     illegal or unethical (such as a bribe, which is payment for a favor).

Jim, can I have a minute?  Something has come up.
     A common way of saying to happen or occur.

Alan Shaper’s ear infection has flared up; We’ve all
been bumped up to the prime crew of Apollo 13.
     If an infection "flares up," it becomes bigger and more troublesome, at least for
     a short period of time. To "bump up" a person in a line is to move them closer to
     the front. The "prime crew" are the people scheduled to fly (while the backup crew
     only flies if those in the prime crew are sick or unavailable).

I gotta get over there; We’re going to have to get up to speed on this.
     To get "up to speed" on a situation is to study it well so that
     you can understand the problems and possible solutions.

All systems are on the line...the docking target is clear.
     "To dock" a ship is to land it next to or inside another ship,
     and thus in this case, the docking target is a part of the rocket.

Let’s shut down some thrusters.
     A "thruster" is a part of a rocket engine that pushes the ship forward.

Houston, we are drifting down and away.
     "To drift" means to be slowly pushed by wind or other outside forces.

Wanna back off and take another run?
     "Do you want to start over and try again?"
     Note that "want to"-----> "wanna" in rapid speech.

Let me try and get it stable here.
     "Stable" is an important word meaning not easily moved or changed.

Go ahead and recycle the valves.
     "To recycle" a product is to use the material it is made of, such as
     wood or metal, in making the product again. A "valve" is the part of
     a pipe that controls the flow of gas or liquid.

Apollo 13 backup crew, you’re up in the simulator.
     The "backup crew" are the people that replace the prime
     crew if any of them get sick or can’t perform their mission.

That’s three hours of boredom followed by seven seconds of sheer terror.
     "Boredom" refers to the state of being bored, or uninterested. 
     "Sheer" is an interesting adjective meaning pure or completely.

You totally out foxed them, brother.
     To "out fox" a person is to do something that is smarter or more clever than them.

You used up too much fuel. :: No, we were above the curve.
     "Fuel" is another word for gas. The second sentence refers to the
     line in space that a spaceship must travel in order to reach it’s
     destination without running into various problems.

We got to be up at 0 700.
     In military language, ‘0 7 hundred’ is the way
     to say 7AM (and note that 1PM is "13 hundred").

Three weeks prior to launch.
     "Prior to" is another way of saying before. "Launch" refers
     to the actual launching or take off of a rocket.

This is the Saturn 4-b booster, and it shoots us away from the earth…
     A part of the engine, like a thruster, that powers the rocket forward.

…until the moon’s gravity actually grabs us and pulls us
into a circle around the moon, which is called an orbit.
     "Gravity" is the (Newtonian) force of nature that keeps objects close to
     each other. "To grab" something is to quickly and forcefully take it.

I take the controls and I steer it around.
     In this case, "controls" refer to all the buttons and computerized equipment
     that the astronauts must use to control the spaceship. "To steer" a car or ship
     is to move it in a particular direction.

This door, it’s called a hatch.
     The small door used to get in and out of a ship or space module.

I can’t believe they still have you doing public appearances.
     Formal speeches and other events that give the public and news
     media a chance to see a particular person, in this case the astronauts.

Yes, but now I have your mother, and she’s just had this stroke.
     A sudden illness in the brain, often caused by a loss of blood,
     that makes it difficult to take care of oneself.

I just don’t think I can go through all that.
     In this case, to "go through" all that is to survive or
     endure a lot of emotional and time consuming effort.

I’ll just be glad when this one’s over.
     A useful alternative to happy or satisfied.

You’re going to miss a hell of a show.
     A common colloquial expression that means worth while, or excellent.

The number 13 doesn’t bother you? ::  Only if it’s a Friday.
     Many people feel that a Friday on the 13th of the month is very bad luck.

Ken Mattingly has been doing some scientific experiments
regarding that very phenomenon, haven’t you?
     A fact or event in nature, or anything that is very strange or unusual.

I had a black cat walk under the lunar module
ladder and it didn’t seem to be a problem.
     Some people also think a black cat can bring bad luck,
     especially if it walks under a ladder!

Does it bother you that the public regards this flight as routine?
     "To bother" a person is to upset, annoy or irritate them.
     If something is "routine," it is common and easy to do.

There’s nothing routine about flying to the moon; I can vouch for that.
     "To vouch" for something is to assert or state that it is true.

I’ll be walking where there’s 400 degrees difference between
sunlight and shadow. I can’t ever imagine topping that.
     "To top" something else is a colloquial way of saying to do
     something that is even more impressive or amazing.


               Thanks to a health scare, Jack Swigert replaces
         Ken Mattingly as the new crew gets ready for the big day.


We got some blood work back from the lab. Charles Duke has the measles.
     "Blood work" refers to tests that are done on a person’s blood to test for
     various conditions or diseases. The "measles" is a childhood disease.

You’ve all been exposed to it.
     If you have been "exposed to" a disease, this means that it is possible
     you may catch it because you were around a person who has it.

I’ve had the measles. :: Ken Mattingly hasn’t.
     Note that Jim mentions that he has already had the measles, because
     if you’ve had it as a child, you can no longer get it as an adult.

You want to break up my crew before the launch when we can
predict each other’s moves and read the tone of each other’s voices?
     "To predict" is a critical verb which means to tell what will happen in the future.
     In this case, a person’s "moves" refers to their way of acting or communicating.
     The "tone" of a voice is it’s sound or quality.

Ken Mattingly will be getting seriously ill, precisely when
you and Haise will be ascending from the lunar surface.
     "Ill" is a way of saying sick, and  "precisely" means exactly. "To ascend"
     means to go up, and "lunar" is the adjective that refers to the moon.

Jim, that’s a lousy time for a fever.
     "Lousy" is an excellent word for very bad or horrible.

Jack Swigert has been out of the loop for weeks!
     To be "out of the loop" means to be uninformed, or not
     know what is happening with a particular plan or project.

He’s a fine pilot, but when was the last time he was in a simulator?
     In this context, "fine" means good or perhaps excellent.
     A "simulator" is a machine that helps astronauts and pilots
     practice flying, without actually leaving the ground.

We can either scrub Mattingly and go with Swigert,
or we can bump all three of you to a later mission.
     "To scrub" usually means to wash or rub, though here it means
     to replace or eliminate. "To bump" means to hit gently, though
     in this case it means to push back until a later time.

I’ve trained for the Fra Mauro highlands, and this is flight surgeon horse shit!
     "To train" for something is to practice it in order to get as good as possible.
     The "Fra Mauro Highlands" are the part of the moon that Jim was planning to visit.
     A "flight surgeon" is the doctor in charge of the health of the astronauts, and
     "horseshit," like bullshit, is a colorful but vulgar way to refer to lies, nonsense, etc.


Jim, if you hold out for Ken, you will not be on Apollo 13.
     "To hold out" for something is to absolutely insist on it.

I know it’s their ass if I get sick up there, but I mean, Jesus!
     In this case, "it’s their ass" means it is them who will get in trouble if
     something goes badly. "Jesus" is a common way to express emotion such as anger
     or frustration.

It will be a hell of a mission...one for the books.
     A way of referring to something that is so important that
     it will be discussed in history books in the future.

Why don’t I talk to Deke? I’m sure we can work this out.
     If two people "work it out," they agree on how to solve a problem or disagreement.

This was my call. :: Must have been a tough one.
     In this case, a "call" is an important decision, and if
     it’s "tough," this means that the decision was very difficult.

Trajectory is holding steady; We’re right on the line.
     A "trajectory" is the path that an object takes while moving
     through space. If it is "steady," it is stable or smooth.

Houston, we’re at 400,000 feet…..about to lose signal.
     Here, the "signal" refers to a radio signal in order to communicate.

Reentry data is nominal and we have radio blackout.
     "Reentry" refers to the act of the spaceship going back into the atmosphere
     of a planet. "Data" is information, "nominal" means very little, and a "blackout"
     happens when no information or power is able to get through from one point to another.

We’re coming in too shallow. I’m going to manual.
     In this case, "shallow" refers to the angle at which a spaceship enters the atmosphere,
     and is the opposite of steep, or at 90 degrees. If a ship is flown "manually," it is
     done by hand, and not computer.

Roger, 13. Ok, we’re at 3 Gs. 5 Gs.
     Astronauts, police and others will use the "roger" to mean "I heard and understood."
     A "G" is a unit of force caused by gravity.

We’re coming in too steep. I’ll stay in this roll, and see if I can pull us out.
     Here, "steep" refers to the sharp angle at which the spaceship is entering the
     atmosphere. If the ship is in a "roll," it is turning on itself as it moves forward.

12 Gs. We’re burning up! Damn it!
     A very common way of expressing anger or frustration.

I gave them a false indicator light at entry interface.
     "False" means not true or correct. The rest of the sentence is the
     type of language that only astronauts would use, but you should
     know "interface" is the part of a computer one communicates with.   

How are you feeling Freddo? :: Charbroiled.
     A word that refers to meat that is cooked on an open flame or barbecue.

We don’t want daddy to get our germs and get sick in outer space.
     "Germs" are the very small organisms that can’t be seen, but which
     cause disease. "Outer space" is anything outside earth’s atmosphere.

Hey boys, you’re not giving you’re mom a hard time, are you?
     "To give someone a hard time" is to make life difficult for them.

Oxygen burn system? ::  Check. :: Helmet restraint ring? :: Check.
     "Check" is a way of saying OK when a machine or system is being
     checked to see that it works. A "helmet" is a metal covering to protect the head,
     and the "restraint ring" is used to hold the helmet in place.

You’re not about to pop, are you? :: No, I got 30 days to this blast off.
     "To pop" is to make a sharp exploding sound, and to "blast off" is what a rocket
     does as it flies up into the sky. Here, both women are actually talking about the
     act of a woman giving birth, not a rocket taking off.

The last one looked like he bought it off a gypsy.
     A "gypsy" is a member of a dark haired race that are known for often travelling
     and making their living by selling goods from their carts.

Jim, you’re all set.
     A colloquial way of saying that "you’re ready."

Gene, we can go now.  :: Save it for splashdown, guys.
     The time when the space module lands in the water after a journey to outer space
     ("to splash" is to cause water to scatter or fly all over).

Apollo 13 flight controllers, listen up!
     "Flight controllers" are those people who help guide planes and rockets
     by using computers. "Listen up!" is a slangy way of saying listen!

Give me a ‘go’ or ‘no go’  for launch.
     A way of asking for approval or disapproval to let the rocket take off.

Booster. Guidance. Surgeon. Procedures. Network.
     Some of the various parts or aspects of a take-off that must be checked.

Launch control, this is Houston. We are ‘go’ for launch.
     Note that Mission Control is in Houston, Texas, but that the rockets
     take off, or launch, from the town of Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Padleader, what’s your status? :: We are ‘go’ for launch.
     In this case, "status" refers to the condition of approval
     or non-approval for allowing the rocket to take off.


              Apollo 13 heads toward the moon…and an
          indifferent country barely seems to notice.


This is it. A few bumps and were hauling the mail.
     A "bump" is a sudden blow or shock, such as what a plane experiences when
     there is turbulence or violent weather. "To haul" something is to carry it
     from one place to another, often with lots of effort.

T minus 15, 14, 13………..ignition.
     "T minus…" is what the announcer says in the seconds leading up to the
     take off of a rocket. "Ignition" is the actual second of lift-off.

We have lift-off. Houston, we have cleared the tower at 13:13.
     If the rocket "clears the tower," it has risen above the top of it.

Altitude, velocity right on the line.
     "Altitude" is distance from the earth and "velocity" is another word for speed.
     This is a way of saying altitude and speed are exactly as planned.

Get ready for a little jolt, fellas.
     A "jolt" is a sudden shaking or hit, often caused by an outside force like
     a storm. "Fellas" is a colloquial way to say fellows, or perhaps, guys.

Roger that.
     A way of saying "OK, I understand."

We’re going to burn those engines for a little bit longer.
     In this case, "to burn" an engine is to use a lot of fuel to accelerate or
     go faster, in order for the rocket to be on the desired course in space.

It looks like we just had our glitch for the mission.
     An excellent word for a small problem that can usually be easily fixed.

This doesn’t stop for me until he lands on that aircraft carrier.
     A large ship from which military jets can take off and land.

Remember, you’re proud, happy and thrilled.
     A useful adjective meaning very happy and excited.

I’m going to go ahead and get set for transposition and docking.
     "To get set" to do something is to get ready to do it. "Transposition"
     is an educated word for the act of changing places or position.

We recommend that you secure cabin pressurization.
     In this case, to "secure" something is to make sure it is safe or reliable.
     "Cabin pressurization" refers to the air pressure inside the spaceship. 

Frank Borman was upchucking most of the way to the moon on Apollo 8.
     "To upchuck" is a slangy and dated way to say vomit or throw up.

If Swigert can’t dock this thing, we don’t have a mission.
     Jim’s way of noting that if the command module and the lunar module
     cannot be connected together, they won’t be able to continue.

How is the alignment?
     "Alignment" refers to the way two or more objects are lined up, or fit together.

Don’t worry guys, I’m on top of it.
     To be "on top of" a situation is to be in control of it.

Come on rookie, park that thing.
     A "rookie" is a person who is doing something for
     the first time, or who has little experience.

Houston, we have hard dock.
     Jim’s way of saying that the two parts of the spaceship (the lunar
     and command modules) have been successfully put together.

OK Houston, we have LEM extraction.  :: We copy that, 13.
     "To extract" one object from another is to remove it. In this
     case, "to copy" a message means to hear and understand it.

I could eat the ass out of a dead rhinoceros.
     A very colorful way for Fred to say that he is very hungry!
     (A rhinoceros is a large animal found mostly in Africa).

We got a smooth one. :: By the numbers, so far.
     If an operation is going "smoothly," this means that all is going well.

Here it comes, the constellation ‘urion.’
     A "constellation" is a group of stars that form the shape of an object, such
     as an animal. "Urion" sounds like a constellation, but is simply Fred joking
     with the word ‘urine,’ which is the official word for piss.

She’s still going on about the stupid Beatles breaking up.
     To "go on" about something is to continue to talk about it,
     usually in an emotional manner (The Beatles broke up in 1970).

Barbara, I know you’re in mourning.
     When a person is "in mourning," they are experiencing
     and showing great sadness, usually over the death of a person.

We’re broadcasting to you tonight form an altitude
of almost 200,000 miles away from the face of the earth.
     "To broadcast" is to send out either TV or radio signals.

The vast expanse out of outer space.
     "Vast" means huge, and an "expanse" is a wide open space.

We’d like to provide you….with the appropriate background music.
     "Appropriate" is a useful adjective meaning suitable, correct or proper
     for a given situation. "Background music" is that music which nobody
     pays attention to, but people hear because it is playing softly nearby.

Do hit it there, Freddo.
     "Hit it" is often used to mean turn on the radio (TV, computer, etc.)

That was supposed to be the theme from ‘2001,’
in honor of command module, Odyssey.
     A "theme" can be a song that people think of when they think of a film,
     in this case the 1969 movie "2001: A Space Odyssey."

All the networks dumped us. One said we made
going to the moon as exciting as a trip to Pittsburgh.
     "Networks" refers to the major television companies. If the
     networks "dump" a show or news event, they decide not to broadcast
     it (in this case, because Americans no longer care about moon trips).
     Pittsburgh is large city in the state of Pennsylvania.

This is all the channels we get, Mrs. Lowell.
     A "channel" is another word for a TV station.

Do they know they’re not on the air?
     If something is "on the air," it is being broadcast live over TV or radio.

If anyone from the IRS is watching, I forgot to file my 1040 return.
     The IRS is the Internal Revenue Service, which is the government
     agency which collects taxes. "To file" a paper is to officially fill it out
     and give it to an office to be recorded. A "1040 return" is the most well-
     known type of tax form, which most Americans file by every April 15.

That’s no joke; They’ll jump on him.
     "That’s no joke" is a way of saying that the situation is serious.
     In this case, to "jump on" a person means to make life difficult for them.

Fred Haise and I will float through this access tunnel.
     "To float through" something is to gently move through the air. An "access tunnel"
     is a tube that allows travel from one place to another.

That stir is going to be on both H2 and 02 tanks?
     "To stir" a liquid is to mix it with a spoon, though here it refers to the
     shaking up of gases that are stored on the ship. H2 is the gas hydrogen,
     and 02 refers to the gas oxygen.

The skin of the LEM is only as thick as a couple of layers of tinfoil,
and that’s all that protects us from the vacuum of space.
     "Tinfoil" is thin aluminum covering, used to wrap sandwiches.
     A "vacuum" is a word for space that has nothing in it (not even air!)

We can get away with this because the LEM is
designed only for flight in outer space.
     "To get away with" something is to do something bad,
     illegal or dangerous without getting into any trouble.

Fred Haise, Renaissance Man.
     A "Renaissance Man" is a guy who has lots of different types of talents and interests.

Houston, that bang you heard was Fred Haise on the cabin repress valve.
     A "bang" is a loud noise. The "cabin" refers to the living area inside
     the spaceship, and a "repress valve" is a switch that stops the flow
     of a gas or liquid.

He gets our hearts going every time with that one.
     Jim’s way of saying that Fred scares them and makes their
     hearts beat fast when he makes that kind of banging noise.


We’re about to close out the Aquarius and return to the Odyssey.
     "To close out" something is to shut it down. Remember that Aquarius
     is the lunar module and Odyssey is the bigger command module.

They might air a few minutes of it on the news tonight. :: You’d think so.
     "To air" a show is to broadcast it on TV. The second
     sentence is Marilyn’s way of saying "I would hope so!"

We’ve got a couple of house keeping procedures for you.
     This refers to routine or normal things that must be done on a regular
     schedule, such as checking the various control instruments.


        An explosion rocks the spaceship, and Apollo 13 finds itself in crisis.


Houston, we have a problem. We have a lot of thruster activity.
     The first sentence here is the most famous line in the movie.
     "Thruster activity" refers to the thruster engines, which are used to
     push the rocket ship forward with great amounts of energy.

We’ve got multiple caution and warning.
     "Multiple" is an important word meaning several or many, and "caution" means warning,
     and is used as a way of telling people to be careful. All of this is Jim’s way of
     saying the computers are giving several different types of warnings.

Jesus, they’re heart rates are skyrocketing.
     "Jesus" is used to express great emotion, like shock or anger.
     "Heart rates" refers to how fast the astronauts’ hearts are beating,
     and "to skyrocket" means to go up very fast.

ECOM, is this an instrumentation problem, or are we looking at a power loss?
     If a problem is related to "instrumentation," it is the instruments, or machines
     that read information, which are broken. If  there is a "power loss," this means
     that electrical power is no longer available.

I’m reading a quadruple failure. That can’t happen.
     The failure or malfunction of four things at the same time.

The LEM might have been hit by a meteor.
     A small piece of material that flies through space, like a comet.

Main Bus B is reading zip right now.
     "The main bus" is a group of computerized instruments.
     "Zip" is a common colloquial word for 0 (zero).

We got a wicked shimmy up here.
     "Wicked" is a powerful word that means evil, or in this case, horrible.
     "To shimmy" is to move, wobble or shake back and forth, though note here
     the word is used as a noun, which is rare.

I’m going to try and get us out of this lurch.
     A "lurch" is a sudden movement in one direction,
     or, as in this case, a very difficult situation.

We keep flirting with gimbal lock.
     "To flirt" with somebody is to  play with them in a romantic way,
     though here it means simply to get close to. A "gimbal lock" is an
     instrument for measuring direction, and is often used in this film.

We need a confirmation. What systems do you have down?
     A "confirmation" is information that proves or verifies a belief.
     If a system, computer or machine is "down," it is no longer working.

Houston, we are venting something out into space.  :: It’s got to be the oxygen.
     "To vent" is to spray, discharge or shoot out something from inside.

Quiet down. Let’s stay cool, people.
     A colloquial way of saying to remain calm.

I want everybody to alert your support teams.
     "To alert" a person is to warn them. "Support teams" are the people
     that help the individual project leaders do what they have to do.

Tank 2 is 218 PSI and falling.
     A "tank" is a container for gas or liquids. "PSI" is a useful
     scientific abbreviation which means pounds per square inch.

Let’s look at this from a standpoint of status.
     "Standpoint" is another way to say point of view or perspective.
     "Status," in this case, refers to general condition or ability to function.

I recommend we shut down the reactant valve of the fuel cells.
     "To shut down" a machine or device is to turn it off. "Fuel cells"
     are power sources that are usually housed in batteries.

What the hell good is that going to do?
     A common addition to WH questions to express emotion such as anger or frustration.


If that’s where the leak is, we can isolate it.
     A "leak" is a tiny hole that allows gas or liquid to escape from a pipe or container.
     "To isolate" a leak is to contain or control it.

From my chair here, this is the last option.
     One way saying the only choice that is left.

Yes Houston, we copy. We just lost the moon.
     Jim’s way of saying that he realizes that the mission to the moon has
     just been cancelled, and that getting home is now their only goal.

How long does it take to power up the LEM? :: Three hours by the checklist.
     "To power up" a machine is to provide it with electrical power.
     A "checklist" is a list of things that must be done for a project.

Before the batteries die on us, let’s power down everything
so we can save as much as we can for reentry.
     "To power down" is to stop using and then cut off electrical power.
     In this case, "reentry" refers to the spaceship’s attempt to reenter
     the earth’s atmosphere from outer space.

Ok, listen up. Here’s the drill.
     "Listen up" is a colloquial way of asking people to listen. A "drill"
     is an activity that people practice in order to do it as well as possible.

The essential hardware only.
     "Essential" is a important word meaning critical or necessary.
     "Hardware" refers to physical machines, such as computers.

We’ll have to transfer the guidance system from one computer to the other.
     A "guidance system" is a computerized program that allows a ship
     to travel in a desired direction without getting lost.

We gotta transfer all control data to the LEM computer.
     In this case, computerized information that will let the astronauts
     control and guide the LEM module while they are in it. Note that
     ‘have got to’---->’gotta’ in rapid speech.

The lunar module just became a lifeboat.
     A small boat that is found on large ships that is
     supposed to save passengers if the ship begins to sink.

You gotta do it fast, or you’re not going to be able to navigate up there.
     "To navigate" a ship means to control its direction.


We’re looking at less than 15 minutes of life support in the Odyssey.
     In this context, "life support" refers to the breathable air that is
     left on the command module (which is called the Odyssey).

If they can’t get they’re guidance data transferred…
they won’t even know which way they’re pointed.
     If a ship is "pointed" in a certain direction,
     it is travelling or heading toward that direction.

Man, there’s a lot of debris floating around out there.
     "Man" is a common colloquial way to start a sentence, though it has
     no particular meaning. "Debris" is the remains of something that has
     been destroyed or exploded.

I have completed these gimbal conversions,
but I need a double check of the arithmetic.
     A "conversion" changes information or data from one system to another.
     A "double check" is a verification that something is correct.

We’ve got negative visibility in our star field and if this paper
work isn’t right, who knows where we’ll end up out here.
     "Negative visibility" is the complete inability to see anything.
     In this case, "paper work" refers to math calculations made on
     paper. "Who knows" is a common way of starting a sentence when
     you have no idea what will happen in a particular situation.

The emergency has ruled out any chance of a lunar landing,
and could endanger the lives of the astronauts themselves.
     "To rule out" an option or plan is to decide that there is no possibility of doing it.

The LEM’s rocket engine will be used in aborting the mission.
     "To abort" a mission is to stop or discontinue it in the middle.

Recapping what has happened now; The
Apollo 13 astronauts may be in grave danger.
     "To recap" a story is to summarize it. If a person is in "grave danger,"
     there is a chance that they can be seriously hurt or even killed.

No, don’t give me that NASA bullshit!
     A widely used, vulgar and excellent slang word for lies,
     distortions, half-truths, and nonsense in general.

Houston, we have no altitude control on Aquarius.
     The ability to keep a spaceship flying at the correct direction or height.

We’re all out of whack.
     If something is "out of whack," it is not functioning correctly.

It’s like flying with a dead elephant on our back.
     Jim’s colorful description of how difficult it is to control the spaceship
     when so many of the computers and control buttons don’t work.

Freddie, inform Houston that I’m well aware of the god damn gimbals.
     A vulgar but common expression that is added to show anger.
     (Remember, a ‘gimbal’ is a mathematical word that is only useful
     in specific engineering contexts).

Aquarius, this is Houston, we got you back on Vox.
     The acoustic system that allows everyone at Mission
     Control to hear what the astronauts are saying.

You have a hot mike; We are reading everything you say.
     A "hot mike" is a slangy way of saying that the microphone is on.
     In this case, "to read" a person is to hear them (but this would only
     be used in an official military or aviation context).

It’s only by a very narrow margin that we’re going
to get Lovell, Haise and Swigert back alive.
     A "narrow margin" is a thin piece of space. This is a way of saying that
     it will take great effort and some luck to save the astronauts.

This has been a very close call.
     A good expression to describe a situation
     in which a disaster has barely been avoided.

We’re not out of the woods yet. Not by a long shot.
     To be "out of the woods" means to reach safety after being in a dangerous or
     difficult situation. "Not by a long shot" is a way of saying not even close.

It’s going to get awfully cold in here.
     An excellent adjective which means very or extremely.

We’ll just have to deal with that later.
     "To deal with" something means to take care of it.

We confirm shut down. Lunar module now in control.
     "To confirm" something is to verify it.

We’re going to have to execute some sort of burn; It’s just a matter of when.
     In this context, "to execute a burn" is to use the engines to push the spaceship in
     a certain direction. The second sentence is saying that the time must be decided,
     but the decision to actually do it has been made.

Houston, how far off course do you project we are? Over.
     If a ship is "off course," it is not following the correct direction.
     In this case, "to project" something is to estimate it. In military
     and other official contexts, saying "over" is a way to end a sentence.

From this moment on, we are improvising a new mission.
     "To improvise" something is to do it without planning or practice,
     often because a sudden need has changed previous plans.

No Sir, we get them in on a free-return trajectory.
     In this case, a flight path in which the spaceship continues to fly
     around the moon, instead of attempting to turn around immediately.

I agree; We use the moon’s gravity to slingshot them around.
     "Gravity" is the natural force that pulls things to big objects like planets
     and moons. "To slingshot" an object is to quickly shoot it through space
     (A slingshot is a Y-shaped fork with a rubber band for shooting).

No, we’ve got to do a direct abort. We do an
about-face and we bring the guys home right now.
     "A direct abort" is an immediate cancellation of the mission.
     To do an "about-face" is to turn around immediately, and go back.

I’m not going to sugarcoat this for you!
     "To sugarcoat" something is to try and make it sound less bad
     or dangerous than it really is. A fun and useful verb.

Once we get them around the moon, we’ll fire up the LEM engine, make a
long burn, pick up some speed and get them home as quick as we can.
     "To fire up" an engine is to use the gas or power within it.
     "To pick up" speed is to accelerate, or continue to go faster.

Run it by the FAO.
     To "run an idea (or suggestion)  by" a person is to see what
     they think of it. The FAO is a department within NASA.

Nixon. He wants odds.
     The "odds" of something happening are the statistical chances that it will occur
     (25%, 50%, etc). Here, President Nixon wanted to know.

Expect loss of signal in one minute.
     This is a reference to the loss of radio signal as the
     astronauts flew toward the far side of the moon.

Neil and Buzz’s old neighborhood.
     A reference to Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, the first two men on the moon,
     and the part of the lunar surface that they visited.

So long earth; Catch you on the flip side.
     "So long" is a common way of saying goodbye. The second sentence
     is a very slangy but still used way of saying "See you later."

It must be an awe inspiring sight; I can’t wait to see it myself.
     If something is "awe inspiring," it is so amazing or sensational that
     it creates a great emotional reaction of respect, fear or wonder.

The problem now is not an adequate oxygen
supply, but the rate of consumption of water.
     "Adequate" is another word for sufficient, or perhaps enough.
     "Consumption" is the act of using or consuming a product.

It’s Fra Mauro; I can see our landing site.
     The part of the lunar surface where Apollo 11 would
     have landed, had there not been an accident.

Look at that crater.
     A giant whole in the surface of a planet.

We’re picking you up at a velocity of 7,052 feet per second
and a distance from the moon of 56 nautical miles.
     In this case, "to pick up" means to observe, or read through computer
     equipment. "Velocity" is an official word for speed, and a "nautical
     mile" is a unit of measurement used by sailors, pilots and astronauts.

I got an itch to take this baby down and do some prospecting.