I wrote:
snip
I would be extremely interested to have someone analyze the
high-resolution version of this photograph:
http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/NA...8/48image.html

...or any other photo from that mission and have them point out any
evidence of an explosion having had occurred. Also I would like to
have it pointed out if any damage is evident in these photos, beside
the panel having separated in what appears to me a benign manner.
snip

Most importantly, I see no evidence of any engine damage like Haise
reported in real-time after SM sep.

Certainly SM systems are questionable after an O2 tank rupture event,
but I don't see the photographic evidence as supporting Kranz's
decision. If anyone can point out evidence of systems damage in that
photograph (or another) please let me know. Or if you know of any
reference that points out visible signs of damage, I'd like to see that
as well. I don't recall Cortwright as having provided any annotated
photograph saying...

"Look here. You can see that this has been damaged. So this indicates
that Kranz made a smart decision by choosing to take the long way
around the Moon."

From everything I've seen, I am highly skeptical that such evidence
exists. Yet people will persist in talking about the incident as an
"explosion". Even Lovell himself talks about the "explosion", when he
is the one who is quoted to describe the event by saying:

"there was a dull but definite bang - not much of
a vibration though...just a noise,"

(As previously discussed on this forum:
http://groups.google.com/group/sci.s...dc99c324babd68)


~ CT