Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise speaks with Mobile students during Space Week

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Students at St. Pius X Catholic School spoke with Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise during the school’s annual Space Week.

Haise joined the students via Zoom from his home in Houston. The national hero served as the Lunar Module Pilot on Apollo 13.

“It just makes all the difference — it makes it real to them,” said Katie Mattingly, St. Pius X resource and art teacher. “We’ve been studying about him — we’ve been learning about him. But to actually have him looking at them and them interacting with him is a real treat — and Zoom does make that possible.”

Students ask about Apollo 13 mission

Students asked Haise about the 1970 mission to the moon that was aborted two days into space after an oxygen tank explosion.

“There was a loud bang that echoed through the spacecraft,” Haise said. “It sounded like somebody hit on the side with a sledge hammer — that is kind of the sound we heard right at the explosion.”

When asked if he was disappointed about not landing on the moon, Haise said he was extremely disappointed.

The conversation with Haise came less than a week after Artemis II successfully traveled around the moon and back.

“Pretty cool — I’m excited for the next mission,” said Drew Howard, a fourth grader at St. Pius X. “I’m excited for them to eventually go to Mars.”

Addie Mae Toland, a seventh grader, said she felt lucky to speak with Haise.

“It’s honestly mind blowing the things that he has to say and like the answers to any questions,” Toland said.

Skylar Owens, a second grader, said the week taught students “that you can be whatever you want to be.”

Mattingly said she wants students to know space exploration is attainable.

“I want our kids to know — that could be them,” Mattingly said. “And I don’t want them to think it is unattainable — because it certainly is.”

Retired astronaut Kay Hire, who flew aboard two space shuttle missions, attended St. Pius the 10th Catholic Elementary School.