Ed Smylie: The Engineer Who Saved Apollo 13 with Ingenuity and Duct Tape Passes Away at 95

Ed Smylie, the NASA engineer who masterminded the life-saving hack that rescued the Apollo 13 crew, has passed away at the age of 95. His quick thinking and resourcefulness, combined with a healthy dose of duct tape, transformed a near-disaster into a triumph of human ingenuity and teamwork.

In April 1970, disaster struck the Apollo 13 mission when an oxygen tank exploded, crippling the command module. The crew, Commander James A. Lovell Jr., John L. "Jack" Swigert, and Fred Haise, were forced to take refuge in the lunar module, which was designed to support only two astronauts for a limited time.

The lunar module's existing equipment was designed to filter carbon dioxide exhaled by only two people, so the crew was in mortal danger. Enter Ed Smylie and his team. Faced with the challenge of adapting square lithium hydroxide canisters from the command module to fit the round receptacles of the lunar module, they devised a solution using only the materials available to the astronauts: plastic bags, spacesuit hoses, cardboard from the flight plan, and, of course, duct tape.

As Mr. Smylie famously said, "One thing a Southern boy will never say is, 'I don't think duct tape will fix it.'" His team's ingenuity was truly exceptional. They crafted an adapter that allowed the astronauts to continue filtering the air, buying them precious time as they navigated the crippled spacecraft back to Earth. NASA radioed meticulous instructions to the astronauts, turning a desperate situation into a DIY project with the highest stakes imaginable.

The story of Apollo 13 became a cultural touchstone, popularized by the 1995 film of the same name. While the movie took some creative liberties, it accurately captured the spirit of the engineers who relentlessly worked to bring the astronauts home. President Richard M. Nixon recognized their efforts, awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the Apollo 13 mission operations team and specifically mentioning Ed Smylie and his deputy, James V. Correale.

Smylie's contribution wasn't just technical, it was a testament to the power of resourcefulness, collaboration, and unwavering determination under immense pressure. He downplayed his role, even suggesting that a sophomore engineering student could have come up with the solution. Yet, his leadership and expertise were crucial in averting a tragedy and bringing three astronauts safely back to Earth.

The legacy of Ed Smylie extends beyond the Apollo 13 mission. He participated in the Mercury, Gemini, Skylab, Apollo-Soyuz, and space shuttle programs, consistently demonstrating his commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration.

Ed Smylie's passing marks the end of an era. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the vital role engineers play in overcoming seemingly impossible challenges. What are your thoughts on the impact of human ingenuity in the face of adversity? Share your comments below.

• Apollo 13
• Ed Smylie
• NASA

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