Did Jim Lovell say 'Houston, we have a problem'? Iconic quote keeps echoing.
But one phrase widely attributed to him has especially echoed across American pop culture for decades: "Houston, we have a problem."
The phrase is close to the actual words spoken as the Apollo 13 crisis unfolded, but the first indication that things were not well came from his crewmate, Command Module Pilot John L. "Jack" Swigert.
According to NASA, this is what Swigert actually said on April 13, 1970, as systems aboard the Apollo 13 spacecraft traveling more than 200,000 miles above Earth began to fail: "OK, Houston, we've had a problem."
At NASA Mission Control in (yes) Houston, the reply came back: "This is Houston. Say again, please."
Lovell, who was commander of the mission, replied, "Ah, Houston, we've had a problem here. We've had a Main B Bus Undervolt," indicating an electrical issue that might doom the mission — and worse, the three astronauts on board: Lovell, Swigert and Lunar Module Pilot Fred W. Haise.
Misquote and misattribution aside, though, the words "Houston, we have a problem" have become part of our pop culture collective consciousness.
Here are some of the notable times it's been used.
The 1995 movie, 'Apollo 13'
In 1995, the story of the mission and how its crew, both on the ground and in space, managed to avert disaster was adapted into a feature film starring Tom Hanks (as Lovell), Bill Paxton (as Haise) and Kevin Bacon (as Swigert).
Like most Hollywood based-on-a-true-story tales, this one took some liberties. One was to shorten the quote to "Houston, we have a problem," and to attribute it to Lovell.
Country singer Luke Combs and 'my kind of town'
Luke Combs likes Texas — is there a country singer who doesn't? There's a lot to love in the Lone Star State — and in his 2018 song "Houston, We Got a Problem," the only problem we can see is that the city seems to be lacking the woman he loves.
"It's got the biggest sky you've ever seen, the coldest beer you'd ever drinkBut I still feel like I landed on the moon 'cause it ain't got youHouston, we got a problem..."
Beyonce suspended in midair
It's low-hanging fruit to use the line "Houston, we have a problem" when something goes wrong in the Texas metropolis. But earlier this year, when pop icon Beyonce got stuck in midair in the middle of a concert at a venue in her hometown, multiple media outlets did just that.
During the kickoff night of her "Cowboy Carter" tour, a mishap with a prop car suspended above the stage at NRG Stadium. Fortunately, like the astronauts, Beyonce was safely returned to Earth.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
The Apollo 13 Storytelling Blueprint Business Leaders Should Use To Motivate Teams
The opening scene of Apollo 13, the film based on astronaut James Lovell's harrowing space ordeal, doesn't start with his transmission to mission control: 'Houston, we've had a problem.' Instead, we see Tom Hanks (playing Lovell) at a house party along with his family and other astronauts who are gathered around a television to watch Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. Lovell had circled the moon in Apollo 8, and the Apollo 13 mission was going to be his turn to land on it. But everything changed after an oxygen tank exploded on the space capsule, turning the mission into an epic story of survival and rescue. The story—and quote—has been repeated in articles and social media tributes celebrating Lovell and his legacy. He died at the age of 97. But if you watch the movie, you'll have to wait nearly an hour before Hanks says the now-famous line (shortened in the film to Houston, we have a problem). The reason director Ron Howard chose to place the scene where he did is a technique of great storytelling, a skill business leaders should learn if they hope to inspire their audiences. A Hero's Journey Lovell's experience aboard Apollo 13 and the rest of his life on Earth follow a classic storytelling arc that's proven to be irresistible. The Hero's Journey, a storytelling structure that mythologist Joseph Campbell identified as a classic framework, follows a hero who leaves the safety of home to pursue a grand adventure where they face trials, challenges, and near-death experiences. They return from the experience transformed and use their newfound wisdom to make their community a better place. Think of the hero's journey as stages that take place within three acts, a template that nearly all successful Hollywood movies follow: Act I. The set-up. The hero's ordinary world (Tom Hanks at the watch party). Act II. The problem. The explosion and all the problems that it triggered, any one of which could have ended the lives of the three-man crew. Act III. The resolution and return. Lovell and his crew didn't just survive. He reframed the mission as a 'successful failure' and helped to transform NASA's crisis management processes. Act one is essential in the telling of a story because it makes the characters relatable. Once the audience cares about the people in the story, they're more invested in the challenges the characters face in the second act, and the resolution becomes even more satisfying. The Hero's Journey framework stands the test of time because we recognize the pattern in our real lives. That's why filmmakers follow it, and so can you. The Leader Storyteller For example, let's say you're a business leader who needs to motivate your team to complete a project under a tight deadline. Instead of telling them what to do and leaving them to get it done, you can share a story from your own experience. Act 1. You might start by painting a picture of a similar position you were once in, facing an immovable deadline that you thought would be impossible to meet. Explain how the task was formidable at first because it required moving from your ordinary world to an unfamiliar one, such as having more responsibility, etc. Act 2. Reveal the problems that came up as you tried to meet the deadline. It may have started well, but unexpected hurdles threatened to derail the project entirely. Raise the stakes if you can. Were you genuinely worried about your future at the company or your career progression? Show some vulnerability to be relatable. Act 3. Explain the resolution and how you met the deadline. Most importantly, tell the team what you learned from the experience and how it made you a better leader. Apply the lessons you learned to the project your team now faces. Yes, creative professionals make storytelling look easy. It's not. It's an art that takes time to hone. Storytelling is a skill and, like any skill, you can sharpen it. The key is to see yourself as something beyond your title, a true storyteller. While your title might read director or manager, your ability to inspire and motivate comes from your ability to spark action through your words. In a touching tribute to Lovell, Hanks, writing on Instagram, beautifully defined a true leader. Hanks wrote, 'There are people who dare, who dream, and who lead others to the places we would not go on our own. Jim Lovell…was that kind of guy.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Tom Hanks honours Apollo 13 astronaut James Lovell: ‘Godspeed you, on this next voyage'
Tom Hanks has paid tribute to James 'Jim' Lovell, the Nasa astronaut he famously portrayed in the 1995 film Apollo 13, following his death at the age of 97. Lovell, best known for delivering the infamous 'Houston, we've had a problem' line during the ill-fated 1970 Apollo 13 mission, passed away Thursday in Lake Forest, Illinois. On Friday, Hanks shared a message on Instagram honouring Lovell's legacy. The Oscar-winning actor wrote: 'There are people who dare, who dream and who lead others to the places we would not go on our own. Jim Lovell, who for a long while had gone farther into space and for longer than any other person of our planet, was that kind of guy.' Hanks continued: 'His many voyages around Earth and on to so-very-close to the moon were not made for riches or celebrity, but because such challenges as those are what fuels the course of being alive – and who better than Jim Lovell to make those voyages.' The 69-year-old concluded his note by adding: 'On this night of a full moon, he passes on – to the heavens, to the cosmos, to the stars. Godspeed you, on this next voyage, Jim Lovell.' Ron Howard, who directed Hanks in the film adaptation of the failed space mission, also honoured Lovell's memory. In his own Instagram post, Howard said: 'Rest in peace, Commander Lovell. Navy test pilot, Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8 and, of course, Apollo 13. Simply knowing Jim has been a tremendous honour. 'His combination of intellect, courage and commitment to duty made him one of the most remarkable individuals I've ever met. His support of our movie-making efforts inspired authenticity and elevated our process in so many ways. Thank you, sir, for your service to our country and to humankind.' 'Lovell's life and work inspired millions,' Nasa said in a statement on Friday (August 8). 'His courage under pressure helped forge our path to the Moon and beyond – a journey that continues today.' The Apollo 13 mission was meant to be Nasa's third Moon landing, but it quickly turned into a tense rescue mission after an oxygen tank explosion damaged the spacecraft. Lovell and his crew, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise, worked closely with Nasa's mission control to safely return to Earth, demonstrating extraordinary calm and leadership under pressure. The failed mission had a lasting impact on Lovell, who, according to the Associated Press, said in 1999, 'I don't worry about crises any longer.' Whenever he had a problem, he was reported to have said: 'I could have been gone back in 1970. I'm still here. I'm still breathing.' After retiring from Nasa and the Navy in 1973, Lovell transitioned to a successful business career and co-authored the book Lost Moon, which detailed the Apollo 13 mission and inspired the movie adaptation. The Apollo 13 movie, which also starred Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise and Ed Harris, was a huge success, earning more than $300m at the global box office. It was nominated for nine Academy Awards, winning the gongs for Best Sound and Best Film Editing.
Elle
4 hours ago
- Elle
Tina Knowles Writes Long Tribute to Beyoncé's ‘Talent and Hard Work'
THE RUNDOWN On Saturday, Tina Knowles shared a long tribute to her daughter, Beyoncé, posting some of her thoughts about the Renaissance singer's long career and how she reached her icon status. The caption accompanied a montage of Beyoncé's performances over the years from her childhood up to her recent Cowboy Carter tour. 'This is bittersweet! The reenactment of her speech and twirl,' Knowles wrote. 'Yes, her career has come full circle from that moment, when she won her first 'Peoples Workshop award' to her doing it on her sold out concert tour in Houston. She thanked her parents and Houston!' Knowles did not name any names, but as she continued, she seemed to allude to other stars of the industry who did not conduct themselves the way her daughter has in her eyes. 'As a Kid with big dreams, She made a commitment to work hard! Polish her craft, take vocal lessons, dance lessons, sacrifice, focus, train, and mind her own damn business and does not mess with anybody,' Knowles stated. 'She sticks close to her family. She never gossiped or put anybody else down, to make herself feel better.' She continued, 'She was inspired and respectful and paid homage to those great artists that came before her. She gave back to her community. She has never used someone else's name to get publicity or attention for herself. No one lives rent free in her head because she is obsessed with them or jealous of them.' The praise continued, with Knowles asserting that Beyoncé has always been supportive of others and unlikely to share negative comparisons or start feuds. 'She has also NEVER constantly criticized other's looks, talent, and character. Has never lied on, or started false rumors about others, has never started one-sided beefs with anyone, to get her name on mainstream media outlets or be relevant or in the current news,' Knowles added. 'She chose to rely on her talent and hard work and her own name. But if she has helped you stay relevant or to get your name in the press. I'm very happy she could help you. You're welcome! God bless You🙏🏽 Ps. if you haven't done any of these things, then this does not apply to you. But if the shoe fits, I'm sure we will be hearing from you.😆 10,9,8,7,6,5 ,4 ,3 ,2,1.'
