Apollo 13 (1970): In-Flight Accident, Mission Failure, and Safe Return

1. Apollo 13 crew reshuffle before launch

   Apr 9, 1970Labels: Jack Swigert, Ken Mattingly, Apollo 13

   • NASA History
   • NASA Swigert

2. Apollo 13 launches toward the Moon

   Apr 11, 1970Labels: Saturn V, Kennedy Space, Apollo 13

   • NASA Details
   • NASA History
   • NSSDCA

3. Routine midcourse correction before the accident

   Apr 13, 1970Labels: Midcourse Correction, Apollo 13, Trajectory

   • SpaceFacts

4. Oxygen tank explosion cripples the service module

   Apr 14, 1970Labels: Service Module, Oxygen Tank, Apollo 13

   • NSSDCA Accident
   • NSSDCA Chronology
   • NASA Details

5. Lunar Module Aquarius activated as “lifeboat”

   Apr 14, 1970Labels: Lunar Module, Command Module, Aquarius Lifeboat

   • NASA Chronology
   • NASA Details

6. Critical engine burn targets a free-return path

   Apr 14, 1970Labels: Descent Engine, Free-Return Trajectory, Apollo 13

   • NASA Chronology
   • Apollo Journal

7. Improvised CO2 “mailbox” keeps air breathable

   Apr 15, 1970Labels: CO2 Scrubber, Mailbox Adapter, Mission Control

   • NASA Gallery
   • NASA Chronology

8. Spacecraft swings behind the Moon

   Apr 15, 1970Labels: Lunar Flyby, Apollo 13, Moon

   • April 1970
   • NASA Chronology

9. PC+2 burn speeds return to safer splashdown area

   Apr 15, 1970Labels: PC 2, Lunar Module, Splashdown Zone

   • Apollo Journal
   • NASA Chronology

10. Service Module jettison reveals extensive damage

    Apr 17, 1970Labels: Service Module, Damage Assessment, Apollo 13

    • NASA Image
    • NASA Chronology

11. Command Module power-up and Lunar Module separation

    Apr 17, 1970Labels: Command Module, Power-Up Procedure, Lunar Module

    • NASA Chronology

12. Safe splashdown ends the Apollo 13 rescue

    Apr 17, 1970Labels: Splashdown, USS Iwo, Command Module

    • NASA Details
    • NSSDCA
    • NASA Chronology

13. Review Board explains root cause and fixes

    Jun 15, 1970Labels: Review Board, Oxygen Tank, NASA

    • NASA Review
    • NASA Details