Robert Smylie, the NASA engineer who saved the Apollo 13 crew with duct tape, has passed away.

Robert Smylie, a quiet name in the immense space epic whose ingenuity averted a colossal tragedy aboard Apollo 13, has died at the age of 95. In April 1970, this brilliant NASA engineer led a team of more than 60 people to cobble together a vital air filtration system from materials as simple as cardboard, a plastic bag, and, most importantly, duct tape. This makeshift rescue allowed Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise to breathe freely and return to Earth, averting a catastrophe that could have cut short the great lunar adventure. This story, immortalized in Ron Howard’s film “Apollo 13,” highlights how everyday things like Scotch tape, duct tape, and even Gorilla Glue can literally save lives in space. Looking back at the life and legacy of Robert Smylie, we discover a crucial role sometimes overlooked by astronauts, but fundamental to the survival and success of a high-risk mission.

Contents:

• The Apollo 13 Mission: An Unexpected Incident and Its Impact
• Robert Smylie: A Forgotten but Essential NASA Engineer
• The Ingenuity of Duct Tape in Space: A Life-Saving Tinkering
• The Composition of the Team and the Technical Challenge of CO2
• Space Tinkering: Materials Used and Making the Solution
• Consequences and Official Recognition of the Rescue
• Technical and Human Lessons Learned for Future Missions
• Robert Smylie’s Legacy in Space History and Popular Culture
• FAQs about Robert Smylie and the Apollo 13 Mission

The Apollo 13 Mission: An Unexpected Incident and Its Impact in 1970

In April 1970, shortly after its launch, the Apollo 13 mission experienced a worrying incident. An explosion in an oxygen tank in the command module seriously weakened the spacecraft. This situation immediately put a strain on the crew—composed of Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise—forced them to take refuge in the lunar excursion module, normally designed for two people. This scenario was anything but reassuring, since the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration inside the module could only be properly managed for two occupants. The crew’s survival was therefore at stake in the very short term, with a margin of maneuver of approximately forty hours.

Overall, this accident disrupted not only the initial mission—which was supposed to land humans on the Moon—but also the entire safety philosophy surrounding space exploration. It’s easy to understand why NASA obviously preferred to avoid this type of risk. With the situation, the pressure was global, and everyone’s eyes were fixed on Mission Control.

• 🚀 A major failure was triggered due to an explosion in the oxygen tank
• 🧑‍🚀 Crew limited to three members, but the space was confined and unsuitable for this number
• ⏳ Critical time due to the accumulation of CO2 in the cabin
• 🌍 Emergency return to Earth requiring a series of rapid decisions

This type of incident is somewhat worrying and pushes NASA to redouble its vigilance. If this name rings a bell, it’s because ever since, the Apollo 13 mission has been studied as a textbook case for space crisis management.

Robert Smylie: A Forgotten NASA Engineer, Yet Essential to the Management of Apollo 13

Robert Smylie, better known as Ed Smylie, was a little-known pillar of the Apollo missions. Born over 95 years ago, he recently passed away, leaving behind a gigantic, yet discreet, legacy. In 1970, while he was a NASA engineer, he probably never imagined that his career would be linked to one of the most spectacular rescues in space history.

Minutes after the explosion, he literally ran to the control center and, with his team of over 60 engineers and technicians, was entrusted with a mission that required creativity and speed. The challenge: to save the lives of Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise through… a DIY project using materials available on board, mainly duct tape. In his work at NASA, Smylie distinguished himself by his ability to combine technical knowledge with resourcefulness. He was not only an engineer in the traditional sense, but also a team captain who motivated his colleagues during the most tense moments. 👨‍🔧 Leader of a team of 60 engineers ⭐ Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Richard Nixon 🛠️ Specialist in innovative solutions in extreme conditions📺 His contribution is immortalized in the film Apollo 13 (1995)

To fully understand Robert Smylie’s importance, visit his page on the

• NASA Wall of Honor
• or read his
• complete career story.

The ingenuity of duct tape in space: an unexpected ally in saving Apollo 13 The role of the famous adhesive tape—also known under the brands Scotch, Tesa, or in other variations such as Gorilla Glue—was not insignificant in the astronauts’ survival. Rather than simply protecting it from drafts or leaks, it became the centerpiece of a remarkable spacecraft project. It’s a universal symbol of “make do with what you have,” especially when it comes to objects as critical as spacecraft air filtration systems. In a series of happy technological coincidences, engineers layered elements found in the lunar module: cardboard boxes, plastic bags, various tools, connected together with what the general public commonly calls duct tape. The result was an improvised device nicknamed “the mailbox,” which solved the CO2 problem by filtering the air and preventing poisoning. This DIY project was made in an incredibly short timeframe for a space project where everything is typically perfected over months. 📦 Creative use of cardboard and plastic bags🩹 Duct tape as an essential bonding agent🔧 Transformation of everyday objects into survival equipment

⏱️ Emergency fabrication with instructions given to astronauts

Materials used 🛠️ Role in the repair 🚧 Cardboard Case to hold and connect the filtersPlastic bag Insulation to facilitate the assembly’s watertightnessDuct tape Securing and holding components together CO2 filters (lithium hydroxide cans)

Chemical element to filter carbon dioxide This space DIY story is often compared to the human ingenuity demonstrated in other exploits, notably the rescue of the Salyut 7 station. Adhesive tape has thus become a true unsung hero of space missions.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c8Dl8T2g_E
• Team Composition and the Technical Challenge of CO2 aboard Apollo 13
• The fundamental problem to solve was the rapid accumulation of CO2 in a module that only had filters suitable for two people, while three astronauts were confined there. Carbon dioxide is toxic, and its accumulation could quickly lead to hypoxia or gas poisoning, which was purely fatal.
• Robert Smylie led a multidisciplinary team composed of NASA engineers as well as external technicians and contractors. Together, they had to devise, test, and then deliver a unique protocol developed with the resources at hand. A real puzzle that required not only in-depth aerospace skills but also improvisation and stress management. 👷‍♂️ More than 60 experts mobilized urgently

Rapid design process and transmission of procedures Nearly zero margin of error

This episode is very well explained in this detailed interview with Smylie himself, available on the official NASA website. This exemplary teamwork has since remained a benchmark in the training of future mission controllers. The link between engineering, improvisation and crisis management

In this rescue, we see that pure science is not enough. Humans’ ability to improvise with ordinary materials, such as Bostik or Fix-A-Flat, against all odds, sometimes makes solutions more effective than standard protocols in extreme situations.

Space DIY: Materials Used and Fabrication of the Solution with Adhesive Tape

• The whole point of this discovery lies in the ability to transform the materials present on board the ship. The famous Adhesive Tape thus played a decisive role in combining the parts. Of course, the use of Scotch tape or Tesa was not initially intended for such a critical system, but the deck had to be stacked in favor of survival. For reference, here are some key materials and their importance in this DIY mission:
• 📦 Cardboard from command module packaging
• 🩹 Duct tape, an all-time classic
• 🛍️ Plastic bags for a better seal

Chemical CO2 removal Images often revolve around this DIY project that the astronauts assembled themselves under instructions transmitted from Earth. This ingenious gesture illustrates how simple everyday actions, like sticking a piece of tape, can sometimes save lives. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D503ydmtpV4

Aftermath and Official Recognition of the Apollo 13 Rescue by Robert Smylie

Despite his usual discretion, Robert Smylie received, with his team, the Presidential Medal of Freedom presented by President Richard Nixon, a few days after the astronauts’ return to Earth in April 1970. This distinction, the highest awarded to civilians, underlines the exceptional scope of their commitment and creativity. Over the years, this mission, and in particular this ingenious invention, has served as an example in all training at NASA and is regularly mentioned as a textbook case in space emergency management. Robert Smylie, who preferred to downplay his role, remains today an emblematic figure of the engineers who saved the Apollo 13 mission. 🎖️ Official decoration by President Nixon 📚 Case studies in NASA training programs 🎬 Featured in the film Apollo 13 (1995)

🌟 Posthumous recognition with references in numerous works

Date 📅 Key event 🗓️ April 17, 1970

Safe return of the crew and presentation of the Medal of Freedom

• 1995
• Release of the Apollo 13 film illustrating the event
• 2025
• Death of Robert Smylie, hailed in the international press

📡 Preparation for managing contingencies in lunar and Martian missions Technical lesson 🛠️Current application 🚀

Complex life systems on the ISS and future habitats on Mars

Rapid adaptation capacity

Flexible emergency procedures and advanced simulators

• Human ingenuity and tinkering
• Preparation for handling various materials such as Duct Tape
• Visible teamwork
• Sharing culture and collective resolution at NASA

Who was Robert Smylie? He was a NASA engineer and leader of a crucial team that designed an innovative filtration system from basic materials, saving the lives of the Apollo 13 astronauts. What role did duct tape play in the mission? It was used to assemble an improvised device to fit the CO2 filters, ensuring breathable airflow in the lunar module.Why is Apollo 13 an iconic mission?

Because it symbolizes a unique rescue that, beyond a lunar failure, represents resilience, improvisation, and teamwork in the face of adversity.

What materials were used in the tinkering with the device? Cardboard, plastic bags, Scotch tape and duct tape, as well as the original lithium hydroxide filters from the lunar module.

Where can we learn more about this story?

• On sites like
• NBC News
• ,
• Wikipedia