Apollo Program
Apollo 13
Vehicle: Saturn V | Launch Site: Pacific Ocean
Mission Overview
The Apollo 13 mission was a critical part of NASA's lunar exploration push. A service module oxygen tank exploded en route to the Moon, forcing the crew to use the Lunar Module as a lifeboat to return safely. The engineering advances made in guidance systems, thermal protection, computing, and structural engineering defined a generation of technology. The data returning from this mission shaped planetary geology, astronomy, and solar physics, cementing its position in human technological history.
Flight Crew & Officers
Multimedia Gallery
Official NASA historical record photography for Apollo 13.