Lovell’s contributions to the U.S. space program are monumental. Selected by NASA as an astronaut in 1962, he served on four pivotal space missions and played a key role in shaping the future of human spaceflight. He was a backup pilot for Gemini 4, a backup commander for Gemini 9, and a backup commander to Neil Armstrong for the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing. 

On December 4, 1965, Lovell and Frank Borman launched aboard Gemini 7, completing a 330-hour mission that included the first successful rendezvous of two manned, maneuverable spacecraft in orbit, a milestone that helped make future Moon missions possible. He later served as Command Module Pilot and navigator on Apollo 8, the first human spaceflight to leave Earth orbit, reach the Moon, and return safely. That six-day journey in December 1968 gave the world its first view of Earth from deep space and remains one of the most profound achievements in exploration. 

As commander of Apollo 13, Lovell led his crew through a life-threatening in-flight emergency with steady resolve, ingenuity, and teamwork. His calm leadership under pressure became a global symbol of resilience and problem-solving, reminding us that even in the face of near disaster, human determination and science can prevail. 

Beyond the missions, Lovell’s legacy lives on in how he inspired generations to look up, dream big, and explore further. His story continues to be a powerful touchpoint at Space Center Houston, where more than one million visitors learn about the challenges and triumphs of human spaceflight. 

We are deeply grateful for his service, courage, and commitment to advancing our understanding of space. Captain Jim Lovell brought people and space closer together, and for that, we salute him. 

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Beloved NASA Astronaut Thomas K. “TK” Mattingly II passed away on October 31, 2023, at the age of 87. Mattingly began his career as a United States Navy Pilot before entering the astronaut class of 1966.

At the height of his career, just three days before the Apollo 13 mission launch, Mattingly was exposed to rubella (human viral disease). As a precaution, he was unable to serve as the mission’s command module pilot and stayed on the ground.

After launch, an oxygen tank explosion rocked the spacecraft, endangering the crew on the way to the Moon. Mattingly, who was later confirmed not sick, went to Mission Control and strategized with the ground crew to develop a procedure to conserve power and successfully return the crew home. Guests can view the modified Lithium Hydroxide Canister prototype that help save all three astronauts in our Starship Gallery.

Space Center Houston honors the life and legacy of Thomas K. Mattingly II. His contributions have played a pivotal role in the success of lunar exploration and the human spaceflight program. Now, as we return to the Moon, we look to legends like him to inspire the next generation of explorers. With human ingenuity, resilience and determination, anything is possible!   

Photos courtesy of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  

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“Houston, we’ve had a problem…”

That line spoken by Command Module Pilot Jack Swigert, while often misquoted, has become one of the most famous quotes of the Apollo era.

Dubbed a “successful failure,” Apollo 13 is perhaps one of the most iconic Apollo missions. Although the crew did not set foot upon the lunar landscape, they problem-solved their way through disaster to ensure a safe return home.

It has been 52 years since Apollo 13 launched on a mission to the Moon carrying NASA astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise. Apollo 13 was slated to be the third lunar landing until an oxygen tank in the service module failed two days into the mission, causing the crew to abort their plans of landing on the Moon.

With innovative thinking, the support team in Mission Control engineered a solution to return the crew home safely.

The Apollo 13 mission symbolizes the power of teamwork and how creative problem-solving drives innovation. In today’s photo gallery, relive Apollo 13 by scrolling through photos from the mission.

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Learn more about Apollo 13 by visiting our virtual Apollo 13 exhibit or our one-of-a-kind Apollo 13 sculpture of the crew at Rocket Park, and don’t miss our “Never Panic Early” special event with Apollo 13 Astronaut Fred Haise on May 12.

The post Photo Gallery: Apollo 13 appeared first on Space Center Houston.

In our April Thought Leader Series, presented by The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), we celebrated the anniversary of the Apollo 13 mission with two panels featuring a who’s who of NASA personnel from then and now.

Hear about the unique experiences and lessons learned during “Apollo 13 Mission Memories,” a panel discussion including Fred Haise, Jim Lovell, Gerry Griffin, Gene Kranz, and Milton Windler.

Learn how the Apollo era is paving the way for future missions to the Moon during the “Apollo to Artemis” panel discussion. The panelists include NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren and Steve Bowen and NASA’s first female flight director Holly Ridings.

To learn more about the Apollo 13 mission, visit our Apollo 13 virtual exhibit.

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Electricity for the Apollo Command Module was generated by fuel cells, like this one. A set of three fuel cells combined oxygen and hydrogen in the service module. The result of the chemical combining also created water.

During Apollo 13, the explosion in an oxygen tank drained the Service Module’s supply of oxygen, leaving the Command Module running only on limited battery power. The Apollo 13 crew was forced to take refuge in the Lunar Module.

Learn more about the historic Apollo 13 mission in our Apollo 13 virtual exhibit, presented by JSC Federal Credit Union.

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This toolkit was carried in the Apollo Command Module. Astronauts used tools to open and close access panels gear and when repairs were needed.

Most tools had a particular use. For example, tools W and 1-4 were needed to open the docking hatch that allowed Apollo 13 crew to transfer to the Lunar Module as use it as a “lifeboat” while the Command Module was powered down.

Learn more about the historic Apollo 13 mission in our Apollo 13 virtual exhibit, presented by JSC Federal Credit Union.

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This pressure suit was fitted as the backup for Fred Haise, Lunar Module pilot on Apollo 13. Each Apollo astronaut had three spacesuits, one for flight, one for training, and one as a flight backup.

Spacesuits consist of several layers. This blue pressure suit layer is not usually seen because it is attached under the white overlay, acting as an inner bladder pressurized with oxygen.

Learn more about the historic Apollo 13 mission in our Apollo 13 virtual exhibit, presented by JSC Federal Credit Union.

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If the Apollo 13 mission had gone as planned and the crew had landed on the Moon, the astronauts would have used a checklist similar to this when they performed their extra-vehicular activity (EVA) on the lunar surface at Fra Mauro.

Learn more about the historic Apollo 13 mission in our Apollo 13 virtual exhibit, presented by JSC Federal Credit Union.

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