Apollo 13: Jim Lovell relives the Moon mission that almost didn’t make it home

On the evening of April 13, 1970 (EST), an oxygen tank exploded on the Apollo 13 spacecraft while three brave astronauts were some 200,000 miles from Earth on their way to the Moon. In this video interview, famous astronaut and Commander of Apollo 13, Jim Lovell, relives Apollo 13 — the mission that almost didn’t make it home.

To the average American living in 1970, the space program had become rather humdrum. The previous year had witnessed Apollo 11’s historic first Moon landing and Apollo 12’s precision touchdown within walking distance of the unmanned Surveyor 3 spacecraft. But by early 1970, NASA’s run of success had turned much of the nation complacent. Many wondered whether fixing problems on Earth demanded more attention than exploring the Moon.

It was in this climate that Apollo 13 set off on April 11 for the third lunar landing. The mission was to be the first devoted largely to science, and targeted an area near Fra Mauro Crater that scientists thought had been splattered by debris from the impact that formed Mare Imbrium.

Jim Lovell served as Apollo 13’s commander. This was his fourth trip into space. He had previously teamed with Frank Borman on Gemini VII in December 1965, when they achieved the first rendezvous with another manned spacecraft; with Buzz Aldrin on Gemini XII in November 1966, that program’s final mission; and with Borman and Bill Anders on the historic Apollo 8 mission in December 1968 that first sent astronauts to the Moon. On Apollo 13, he was joined by a pair of rookies: Command Module Pilot Jack Swigert and Lunar Module Pilot Fred Haise. Swigert was a last-minute replacement for Ken Mattingly, who had been exposed to German measles a week before launch and was the only crew member who did not have immunity.

The first two days of the mission went largely according to plan, if little noticed by the broader public. None of the three major U.S. TV networks carried the crew’s primetime television broadcast the evening of April 13. But the world certainly took notice later that night when an oxygen tank in the service module exploded and put the mission — and the lives of the astronauts — in jeopardy. The harrowing return journey transfixed the nation and the world.

Recently, Astronomy magazine Senior Editor Rich Talcott had the honor to interview Captain Lovell about Apollo 13 at the Lake Forest, Illinois, public library. As you might expect, the events of the mission remain etched in Lovell's mind, even after 50 years.

[woyeshinibaba]

my all time favorite astronaut! even at 92 years old his mind is still sharp as a knife, absolutely amazing! bid you good health grandpa!

[emmgeevideo]

He is an absolute joy. How lucky American is to have humans like him pioneering for our country.

[jd.]

Such a humble guy. He literally flew a broken spacecraft in an emergency trying to get a course correction in a time crunch and learned on the fly how to do it! America’s best!

[jocksavage]

Amazing fellow. I had the pleasure of meeting Jim at KSC while he was signing his new book LOST MOON.. he signed it "Best Wishes Jon..."

[resipsaloquitur]

Men of this quality are rare. Rare then, and even more rare now...😢

[ILSRWY]

As a pilot and space nerd, and as a musician, my favorite guys are Jim Lovell, Frank Borman & Bill Anders (Apollo 8) and Neil Peart, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson (RUSH). The Amazing thing is, all six share 3 very important traits. They are Happy, They joke around and they have a positive attitude... and it shows as all 6 are married to their same wives. Pretty amazing considering the divorce rate among Astronauts and Rock musicians. Humble individuals!

[Zoso-lzov]

Look what info we got after it looked like the interview was done, “ I have a question” well done!

[taniaceruti]

This man has been my space hero ever since I can remember. As a kid I was always in awe of him and still am too this day

[JasonGlisson]

This is fantastic. Thank you for sharing for us space nerds. Such a valuable interview.

[paulcastillo]

If I can meet him in person I'll be I would be thrilled

[gregson]

would never believe him if he told me he is 92 years old.

[ChicagoHOG]

This man is as sharp as a knife in his 90s. I'm 42 and don't believe I could hold his jock strap. In truth, Apollo 8 never received the credit it was due following Apollo 11. Apollo 8 was the first to orbit the moon. Mr. Lovell was on that capsule. That is historic, and, at the time, the most historic thing ever done in exploration. I really admire this man and his crew. I wish I could meet him before one of us passes.

[dmd]

Absolutely incredible !!! I was 10 years old and I remember it very well...Amazing, Jim is 92 years old and speaks like a 30 year old !!! What a brillant man...

[sdne]

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How can you not love this man ??
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Thank you, Mr. Lovell, for all you have meant to this your service in The U.S. Navy, and as part of NASA's Apollo program !!
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Godspeed now, and forever, good sir!!
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[sasquatch]

They dont make men like this anymore...THE BEST

[AirborneAnt]

Jim Lovell…one of my ALL TIME favorite HEROS

[simonparker]

A wonderful human being. He must have recounted these tales a thousand times, but he does so with humour, with patience and enthusiasm.

[martinhahn]

If NASA ever plans to go to the moon again, let him be the commander. He'd still do a great job.

[theonlymadmac]

I will never forget being 7 years old listening on the radio on Christmas Eve to the wonderful Genesis reading of the Apollo 8 guys. We had no TV yet. One defining moment of my life. What a good guy! One of my few childhood heroes who is still a role model!

[Springbok]

I had the honor to meet Mr. Lovell in 2009 on the 40th anniversary when I worked at NASA HQ. A wonderful gentleman who asked me questions about what I did at the agency! It was the highlight of my time at NASA to meet a childhood hero and find out in person what it means when they used the term "the right stuff."