1A ICYMI: A Conversation With Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell
Aug 12, 2025
Jim Lovell, the legendary Apollo 13 commander and veteran of four NASA missions, shares gripping tales of survival and ingenuity in space. He recounts the hair-raising moments following the spacecraft explosion and the challenges his team faced as they turned the lunar module into a lifeboat. Lovell reflects on the emotional rollercoaster of re-entry and the sheer joy felt upon their safe return. His anecdotes blend humor with profound insights, illuminating both the mission's legacy and the future of lunar exploration.
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Moment The Mission Changed
- Jim Lovell describes the moment a loud bang shook Apollo 13 and he saw gaseous oxygen escaping through the hatch.
- He watched the oxygen gauge fall to zero and realized the spacecraft had suffered a serious leak.
Lunar Module As Lifeboat
- Losing two fuel cells made landing on the moon impossible and jeopardized return power and life support.
- Mission Control and Lovell immediately planned to use the lunar module as a lifeboat to preserve life-support and guidance.
Stay Cool Under Pressure
- Keep calm and systematically assess problems under pressure, as Flight Director Gene Kranz instructed his team.
- Prioritize available resources and contingency plans, like using the lunar module as a lifeboat.