The actual words were, “Houston, we’ve had a problem,” but the movie makers thought this was not dramatic enough, indicating that there was no actual problem by the time he said it. They changed it to the popular quote from Lovell: “Uh, Houston, we have a problem.”

Of course, when he said it, they definitely still did have a problem, and the potential for disaster was very real.

That’s the point, however. He didn’t say, “Houston, we have a disaster,” or “Houston, we are destined to fail.” He said they had a problem…

… and the astronauts and Mission Control promptly set about solving it.

As a teacher of Mathematics, I found it interesting if a student said they had a problem. Of course they had a problem. I was my job to present problems, and to show the students how to solve them.
Having a problem is good. It’s important. It allows us to grow and learn.

Embrace problems.

If you have questions, then welcome them also – but importantly, ask them. That’s how you get answers.

That’s not Rocket Science!