Apollo 13 was the third manned lunar-landing mission, part of Project Apollo under NASA. The crew members were Commander James A. Lovell, Command Module pilot John L. "Jack" Swigert, and Lunar Module pilot Fred W. Haise. It launched on April 11, 1970. Two days after the launch, the Apollo spacecraft was crippled by an explosion, caused by a fault in the oxygen tank. The explosion damaged the Service Module, resulting in a loss of oxygen and electrical power. The crew used the Lunar Module as a “lifeboat” in space. The command module systems remained functional, but were deactivated to preserve the vehicle's capability to reenter Earth’s atmosphere. Despite great hardship caused by severe constraints on power, cabin heat, and potable water, the crew successfully returned.

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