What Happened to Apollo 13? Inside the Near-Fatal 1970 NASA Mission — And Exactly What Went Wrong

Mar. 15, 2025

Apollo 13 crew members Jack Swigert, Jim Lovell and Fred Haise pose for a photo.Photo:Bettmann/Getty

Bettmann/Getty

Apollo 13stands as one of NASA’s most monumental and near-fatal space missions decades after the event.

The latter offers a fresh look at the mission’s harrowing events, using archival material and rare audio recordings to give viewers an intimate glimpse of the near-death episode. It also includes never-before-seen footage and interviews with the original team, shedding new light on how the astronauts and ground crew overcame near-impossible odds to bring the crew home safely.

“More than 50 years after the mission, the film put me right back in the captain’s seat,” Apollo 13 captain Jim Lovell said in a statement, perRadioTimes. “I am grateful the world now has this excellent documentary showing the raw emotions and triumph we felt back then. My hope is our experience in space will continue to inspire new heights of exploration for many years to come.”

So what happened to Apollo 13? Here’s everything to know about one of NASA’s most dramatic missions and its significance in space exploration history.

What was Apollo 13’s mission?

Apollo 13 Spacecraft Commander James A. Lovell, Jr. prepares to assemble lunar drill during a practice Moon-walk.Bettmann/Getty

Before the mission, the crew was excited to continue NASA’s streak of successful lunar landings, with Lovell eager to finally set foot on the moon after missing his chance during Apollo 8.

The mission’s primary objectives were to explore the designated landing spot near the Fra Mauro region on the moon, collect lunar samples, conduct experiments and take photos of potential future landing sites,per NASA.

However, it became a lesson in survival rather than exploration.

What happened to Apollo 13?

A group of flight controllers gather round the console of Shift 4 flight director Glynn Lunney in the Missions Operations Control Room of the Mission Control Center at the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas on April 15, 1970.Space Frontiers/Getty

Space Frontiers/Getty

Two days after liftoff, on April 13, 1970, an oxygen tank in Apollo 13’s service module exploded. The explosion crippled the spacecraft, leaving it without most of its oxygen supply, electricity and other vital resources.

Lovell’s now-famous transmission, “Houston, we’ve had a problem,” marked the beginning of an intense four-day effort to safely return the astronauts to Earth.

With limited power, food and water, the crew had to rely on the Lunar Module, which was meant for the moon landing, as a lifeboat.

NASA’s ground team worked around the clock with the astronauts, improvising solutions on the fly. One of the most critical issues was removing carbon dioxide from the cabin, a task that required a makeshift approach using only the materials available on board.

Despite the odds, the team managed to guide Apollo 13 around the moon and start its journey back to Earth, using the moon’s gravity to essentially “slingshot” the spacecraft in the right direction, according toThe Planetary Society.

Did the Apollo 13 crew survive?

The prime recovery ship for the Apollo 13 mission hoists the Command Module aboard. ; Apollo 13 astronaut John L. Swigert Jr. sits in a rescue basket as he is lifted aboard a recovery helicopter following splashdown.Heritage Space/Heritage Images/Getty; Bettmann/Getty

Heritage Space/Heritage Images/Getty; Bettmann/Getty

Lovell, Swigert and Haise survived the near-death mission, landing safely in the Pacific Ocean on April 17, 1970.

After the mission failed, Lovell admitted his sadness at not reaching the moon but acknowledged the relief and pride in getting home safely.

“I was disappointed I didn’t get to land on the moon,” he toldForbesin 2016. “But actually, it turned out to be the best thing that could have happened,” adding that “it brought out the true value of leadership, teamwork, and initiative at Mission Control and turned an almost certain catastrophe for NASA into a successful recovery.”

Despite their safe return home after a near-brush with death, none of the Apollo 13 astronauts flew to the moon again.

Lovell retired from NASA in 1973, Haise continued to work in NASA’s space shuttle program and Swigert pursued a career in politics. The latter was elected as a U.S. Congressman in 1982, but sadly, he died from cancer that same year before he could take office.

What impact did Apollo 13 have on the world?

HUM Images/Universal Images Group/Getty

In the aftermath, the Apollo 13 Review Board was tasked with investigating the accident, identifying its causes and suggesting improvements for future missions.

The mission underscored the dangers of space exploration, serving as a wake-up call to the need for safety and preparedness in future endeavors.

For Apollo 14 and later missions, several key safety improvements were made to the oxygen system, and the oxygen tank was redesigned. Monitoring systems were also upgraded to provide faster and more visible warnings of any issues. An emergency water supply and battery were added to the command and service modules, and the Lunar Module was modified to make it easier to transfer power to the command module if needed.

The mission also captivated the world’s attention, showing how human innovation could prevail against the odds. Demonstrating the power of teamwork and problem-solving under pressure, lessons that have since been applied far beyond space travel and the subject of countless books, films, documentaries and television series.

source: people.com