Apollo 13
Apollo 13: Land at Fra Mauro and conduct a geology-focused lunar surface expedition
Apollo 13 was intended to land at Fra Mauro but became a life-preservation mission after an oxygen tank exploded in the . Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise powered down command module Odyssey and used lunar module Aquarius as a lifeboat. Flight controllers and crew improvised power, water, carbon-dioxide removal, navigation, and course-correction procedures that brought all three astronauts safely home.
Mission dossier
Flight profile, locations, hardware, and outcome in the same reference format used throughout the archive.
Flight profile
Places and recovery
Mission record
Assignment Manifest
The flight crew and the backup team assigned to train for this mission.
Prime crew
3 assignments
James Arthur Lovell Jr.prime crewCommanderLaunched April 11, 1970Returned April 17, 19705 days, 22 hours, 54 minutes, 41 secondsCommanded Apollo 13 through the in-flight emergency and safe return.Open astronaut archive
John Leonard Swigert Jr.prime crewCommand Module PilotLaunched April 11, 1970Returned April 17, 19705 days, 22 hours, 54 minutes, 41 secondsFlew as command module pilot after being moved from backup crew shortly before launch.Open astronaut archive
Fred Wallace Haise Jr.prime crewLunar Module PilotLaunched April 11, 1970Returned April 17, 19705 days, 22 hours, 54 minutes, 41 secondsHelped operate Aquarius as a lifeboat after the service module oxygen tank failure.Open astronaut archiveBackup crew
Trained for the mission but did not count as flown unless reassigned to the prime crew.
John W. YoungBackup CommanderTrained for the mission; did not fly.Open astronaut archiveJohn L. Swigert Jr.Backup Command Module PilotMoved to the prime crew shortly before launch and flew the mission.Open astronaut archive
Charles M. Duke Jr.Backup Lunar Module PilotTrained for the mission; did not fly.Open astronaut archive
Thomas K. Mattingly IIPost-substitution Backup Command Module PilotRemoved from the prime crew before launch, then supported the recovery from Mission Control.Open astronaut archiveMission Purpose
4 sources- Land at Fra Mauro and conduct a geology-focused lunar surface .
- Deploy a scientific experiment package and collect samples from the Fra Mauro formation.
- After the accident, preserve electrical power, water, oxygen, and a safe cabin environment for the return journey.
- Use Aquarius for life support and propulsion, then reactivate Odyssey for a safe .
Planned Flight Plan
4 sources- April 11, 1970
Apollo 13 begins
Odyssey and Aquarius was assigned to Land at Fra Mauro and conduct a geology-focused lunar surface .
- Primary phase
Deploy a scientific experiment package and collect samples from the Fra Mauro formation
Command module: Odyssey (CM-109); Lunar module: Aquarius (LM-7); : Saturn V SA-508
- Mission objective
After the accident, preserve electrical power, water, oxygen, and a safe cabin environment for the return journey
Apollo 13 operated within Apollo to pursue the program objective.
- April 17, 1970
Apollo 13 outcome
Apollo 13 concluded with the recorded status Completed: Apollo 13: Land at Fra Mauro and conduct a geology-focused lunar surface expedition.
Mission Timeline
4 sources- April 11, 1970
Apollo 13 begins
Odyssey and Aquarius began Apollo 13 to Land at Fra Mauro and conduct a geology-focused lunar surface .
Open operation record - Operations
Deploy a scientific experiment package and collect samples from the Fra Mauro formation
Command module: Odyssey (CM-109); Lunar module: Aquarius (LM-7); : Saturn V SA-508
- Defining result
Apollo 13: Land at Fra Mauro and conduct a geology-focused lunar surface expedition
Apollo 13 was intended to land at Fra Mauro but became a life-preservation mission after an oxygen tank exploded in the .
Open operation record - April 17, 1970
Apollo 13: Completed
Use Aquarius for life support and propulsion, then reactivate Odyssey for a safe .