Suggested Searches

Apollo 13 insignia with 3 horses, the sun, the moon, and the words ex luna, scientia

Apollo 13

"Houston, we've had a problem…"

Mission Type

Lunar Landing

crew

James Lovell, John "Jack" Swigert, Fred Haise

Launch

April 11, 1970

Landing

April 17, 1970

Apollo 13

Apollo 13 was supposed to land in the Fra Mauro area of the Moon. But at 5 1/2 minutes after liftoff, the crew felt a little vibration…

Learn More about Apollo 13
Apollo 13 Crew Installing ?Mail Box? for Purging Carbon Dioxide From Lunar Module?April 14, 1970.

James A. Lovell, Jr.

Commander

Captain Lovell was selected as an astronaut by NASA in September 1962. He has since served as backup pilot for the Gemini 4 flight and backup commander for the Gemini 9 flight, as well as backup commander to Neil Armstrong for the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. On March 1, 1973, Captain Lovell retired from the Navy and from the space program.

More About James A. Lovell
Portrait of astronaut James A. Lovell in white spacesuit and globe
Astronaut James A. Lovell.
NASA
Featured Story

50 Years Ago: “Houston, We’ve Had a Problem”

During their third day in space, the crew of Apollo 13, Commander James A. Lovell, Command Module Pilot John L.…

Read the Story

Apollo 13 Articles

The Hard-won Triumph of the Apollo 13 Mission – 45 Years Later
5 min read

When their spaceship was severely damaged 200,000 miles from Earth – 45 years ago this week, it was like a…

Article
Arturo Campos: A Key Player in Bringing Apollo 13 Home
5 min read

Leerlo en español aquí. Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly listed the year Campos died. He passed away…

Article
50 Years Ago: Apollo 13 Aquarius European Goodwill Tour
7 min read

Six months after their return from the harrowing Apollo 13 mission, astronauts James A. Lovell, John L. Swigert, and Fred…

Article
50 Years Ago: Apollo 13 Review Board Report
8 min read

During a press conference on June 15, 1970, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, Apollo 13 Review Board Chair Edgar…

Article
50 Years Ago: Apollo 13 Crew Returns to Houston
7 min read

On April 17, 1970, Apollo 13 astronauts James A. Lovell, John L. “Jack” Swigert and Fred W. Haise splashed down…

Article
50 Years Ago: Apollo 13 Crew Returns Safely to Earth
11 min read

The crew of Apollo 13, Commander James A. Lovell, Command Module Pilot (CMP) John L. “Jack” Swigert and Lunar Module…

Article
Keep Exploring

Discover More Topics From NASA