NASA must devise a strategy to return Apollo 13 to Earth safely after the spacecraft undergoes massive internal damage putting the lives of the three astronauts on board in jeopardy.
127, South Tropical Trail, Lotus, Brevard County, Florida, 32952, United States of America
Cinespace Main South Studio Building, 1601-1659, South Rockwell Street, Douglass Park, North Lawndale, Chicago, West Chicago Township, Cook County, Illinois, 60608, United States of America
Falls Lake Trail, Durham County, North Carolina, United States of America
Scene: (Splashdown)
19131, Index Street, View Ridge Towne Homes, Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council District, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, 91326, United States of America
Ron Howard’s gripping account of NASA’s near-disaster recreated the space race across Houston and Florida – and, for its astonishing zero-gravity scenes, actually flew the cast in NASA’s parabolic ‘Vomit Comet’ aircraft.
Where was Apollo 13 filmed?
Apollo 13 was filmed in Houston, Texas and Florida (Cape Canaveral), with studio work in Los Angeles and real zero-gravity flights.
Every Apollo 13 location, explained
1
Houston – Mission Control
The NASA scenes used Houston, Texas, including Ellington Field, with Mission Control recreated at a Los Angeles studio.
2
The launch – Florida
The launch scenes used Cape Canaveral and Titusville in Florida.
3
Zero gravity – the Vomit Comet
The weightless scenes were filmed for real aboard NASA’s KC-135 parabolic aircraft, nicknamed the ‘Vomit Comet’.
4
The studios – Los Angeles
Interiors and effects work used studios in Los Angeles.
Planning a visit
Houston‘s Space Center and Florida’s Kennedy Space Center – the real homes of the Apollo program – are accessible destinations behind the film.
Apollo 13 Fun Facts
1
Real zero gravity The weightless scenes were filmed aboard NASA’s ‘Vomit Comet’ aircraft.
2
'Houston, we have a problem' The film cemented the mission’s most famous line.
3
A true story It dramatises the real, aborted 1970 Apollo 13 Moon mission.
4
Hanks leads Tom Hanks stars as astronaut Jim Lovell.
5
Two Oscars The film won Academy Awards for its editing and sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Apollo 13 filmed?
In Houston, Texas and Florida (Cape Canaveral), with studio work in Los Angeles and real zero-gravity flights.
