Apollo 13 thanks

Jack Swigert and HSK Station Director Don Gray during Jack’s visit on 2nd May 1972.

In the centre, wearing the hat, is Walter L Rice, US Ambassador to Australia. In the background is Alex Meldrum, President of the Australian-American Association in Canberra.

(Mr Meldrum’s name from the text below a copy of this photo on Goddard News, July 1972, page 10.)

Visitors’ book entry.

Photo preserved by Milton Turner. Scan: Colin Mackellar.

This cover letter from Bob Leslie to Honeysuckle Station Director Don Gray passes on the thanks of the United States Government for Australian support in the safe return of the crew of Apollo 13.

The letter was initially addressed to Australian Prime Minister John Gorton.

Singled out for thanks were the teams from Honeysuckle and Carnarvon MSFN stations, the crew at Parkes and the team from Tidbinbilla who flew to Parkes to operate the S-band equipment installed for support of Apollo. Support for the ARIA operations was also specifically mentioned – this would include ground and comunications support.

Not specifically mentioned, but also of great importance, was the support of the team who stayed at the Wing site at Tidbinbilla; NASCOM via the Deakin switching centre, and also the PMG and OTC. The ABC also provided support for links.

Click the image above for a 1.5MB PDF document. Assembled from scans by Mike Dinn.

This cartoon by Ed von Renouard was autographed by Apollo 13 astronaut Jack Swigert when he visited Honeysuckle Creek on 2nd May 1972.

Thankfully the Lunar Module’s descent engine did the job, and there was no need to try to light the SPS!