HutchPost
HUTCHINSON — It was 50 years ago today that the world held its breath as three astronauts began a harrowing journey back to earth after an explosion aboard Apollo 13 crippled their spacecraft.
The Odyssey as the Apollo 13 spacecraft was named is certainly the centerpiece of the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson. A planned celebration for the 50th anniversary of that mission was postponed due to COVID-19. Cosmosphere President Jim Remar says the spacecraft is something they take great pride in.
“It is something that I think that all of us who work at the Cosmosphere and all of the citizens of Hutchinson take great pride in,” Remar said. “One of the icons in American space flight resides right here.”
The 50th anniversary celebration with the two remaining Apollo 13 astronauts and flight crew was postponed earlier this month due to the pandemic. Remar says they look forward to celebrating the event later this year.
“We look forward to opening our doors back up and welcoming visitors to see the Odyssey as well as one of the most significant collections of space artifacts anywhere in the world.”
Until then the museum is presenting a long line of virtual and video programing reliving the flight of Apollo 13.
“We’re providing some virtual opportunities and activities,” Remar said. “We’ll be rolling out over the course of the week virtual activities and podcasts and presentations all honoring the mission and the anniversary. And then look forward to the gathering of astronauts, mission control and flight directors back here to Hutchinson later this year.”
Certainly, the celebration is close to the heart of the astronauts. In a recent interview, Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell who has been to the Cosmosphere numerous times, said he was disappointed by the postponement of the celebration saying he wanted to go back to Hutchinson and say goodbye to his spacecraft.