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.
To read a lightly edited transcript of the interview, visit: astronomy.com/magazine/news/2...

[@jd.3493]

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!

[@ChicagoHOG27]

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.

[@joevignolor4u949]

Its important to note that there was no lunar module on Apollo 8. As such if the accident that happened on Apollo 13 had happened on Apollo 8 the crew of that first lunar orbital mission would have been dead. Along with all the other firsts on Apollo 8 the lack of a LM to serve as a lifeboat made Apollo 8 certainly the riskiest and boldest mission of the entire Apollo program.

[@theonlymadmac4771]

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!

[@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!

[@MonteLeeMyPOV]

Grandpa?! That's pretty E'ffin disrepectful for what his man has accomplished! Call him grandpa? Gtfo!

[@ChrisHyde537]

@@MonteLeeMyPOV Actually, us grandpas rather enjoy that salutation (unless you’re the grandchild)

[@theradgegadgie6352]

Probably the joint-best pilot of all of them all.

[@scaramonga]

Grandpa? He's forgotten more than you will ever know in your lifetime.

[@woyeshinibaba]

@@MonteLeeMyPOV i just saw this... i don't know where you are from, but clearly in your own culture, grandpa means something disrespectful, which is just... odd. hmmm. interesting. good luck in your life when you become a grandpa if you are lucky enough to live that long.

[@simonparker57]

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

[@Zoomer30_]

Interviewer: Was any thing lucky about 13 Lovell: Yeah, it could have been Apollo 8. Think about it. Apollo 8. No LEM.

[@marcusalexander7088]

@@Zoomer30_ whooooa....

[@WillieWonka928D]

​@@Zoomer30_ Not only that, the fact that the explosion happened on their way to their moon rather than while they were in lunar orbit or on the way back. Just that slight difference would've certainly cost them their lives.

[@The_Harbinger]

Love the way Mr. Lovell tells his story, a national treasure.

[@captaincristina]

I could have endless conversations with him 😭😭😭😭 The responses from the interviewers to his amazing stories are so dry! I’m so excited listening to him tell his life. It’s amazing.

[@1983dmd]

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...

[@martin.B777]

Jim is 92 years YOUNG!🚀

[@martinap1961]

Very well said !

[@VytisMaleckasBrunius76]

I was 7

[@ChrisHyde537]

It brought the entire world together for a very brief time. I brought a portable b&w tv to work and we followed it.

[@calisongbird]

@@martin.B777 here’s what the late, great George Carlin had to say about the “years young” BS: “the one I keep resisting is when they look at an old guy and they’ll say, “Look at him, Dan, he’s 90 years young.” Imagine the fear of aging that reveals. To not even be able to use the word “old” to describe someone, to have to use an ANTONYM. And fear of aging is natural, it’s universal, isn’t it? We all have that, no one wants to get old, no one wants to die, but we do. So, we bullshit ourselves.”

[@Springbok314]

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."

[@Wheeljack678]

Apollo 13 was 50 years ago. The man is 92 years old and he speaks about the mission in a detail as if it happened last week. These guys really were made of 'the right stuff'

[@MajoIngram]

probably because he spoke about it 20 000 times already

[@russwentz3957]

He reminds me of my father. I love that generation. They did what ever it took to get it done and all the while with sprinkles of humor.

[@ChrisHyde537]

Jim is partial “greatest generation”. A little young for WWII service but he more than made up for that. To me, those who were adults during the depression and WWII get absolute top billing.

[@russwentz3957]

@@ChrisHyde537 I totally agree Sir. That's why he reminds me of my father. He also was in high school during WWII, graduating in '48 and shared so many of those great characteristics.

[@anonymouscode1635]

Did you father been to moon

[@sdne1959]

. How can you not love this man ?? . Thank you, Mr. Lovell, for all you have meant to this country.....including your service in The U.S. Navy, and as part of NASA's Apollo program !! . Godspeed now, and forever, good sir!! . en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Lovell .

[@martinhahn1390]

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

[@georgesabol459]

All the men & women who participated, we love you. You did your Country proud.

[@jorgejefferson8251]

This man and Buzz Aldrin are my favorites, they both tell great stories and appear joyful to do it.

[@sumbeech1484]

Mr. Lovell -- What a class act ! Sad you didn't make a landing !

[@onyourmarkphoto]

How wonderful he has lived so many years after such a fateful flight. Of all the astronauts to not get to the surface of the moon. He has a way of communicating his experiences. Can you imagine what he would've been able to say or describe a moon walk. A true American hero. Thank you Jim Lovell for your service. You're a wonderful human being.

[@allancar]

I could listen to Jim for days on end. What a guy!

[@MrVikingsandra]

92 years old and look at how lucid he is! All these ex astronauts can teach us a thing or two about longevity!

[@MajoIngram]

omg you are naive

[@jshepard152]

@@MajoIngram Yeah? How so?

[@gli7utubeo]

If you are just scrolling through the comments to decide whether or not to watch this, I will say this is GREAT. There is information here that I never heard before, and Jim is a superb storyteller. If you think you know what happened and why on 13, you may be mistaken until you watch this. I would watch it from beginning to end for a great story.

[@TomTimeTraveler]

A true American hero and a wonderful man.

[@Kenaroni]

God bless Mr. Lovell. I'm surprised there are only 16 comments as I'm writing this. These astronauts were my heroes as I was a space nerd growing up. We are lucky to still have some of them left to tell their stories.

[@AirborneAnt]

Jim Lovell…one of my ALL TIME favorite HEROS

[@Paul1958R]

What a wonderful human being. God bless Jim Lovell. Paul (in MA)

[@BeeRadicaI]

Can’t imagine the feelings these brave men went through. Even though they didn’t land on the moon still a unimaginable mission.

[@davechristensen2482]

Oh.......... They "Imagined" it, alright.

[@sasquatch5680]

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

[@Epinephrin3]

This is the first time I actually hear Jim speak, after having read throughout the years about the programs, it is incredible how to not only hear in such detail but also how healthy he is. Fantastic video, watch it all

[@DJUFO]

Absolute legend. I could listen to him for hours. Top video :)

[@teosam1578]

I am humbled by the enormity of the character of this brave man. A true treasure. Greetings from Greece.

[@davidlacy4771]

Fred Haise was also on Apollo 13 ……and he is still alive and as classy as Jim Lovell……we are so lucky to have them to document this mission. With the crazy Covid year…..April 2020 ….it did not allow them to have the ceremony that they deserve…..i say we move all the anniversary celebrations back a few years…..this story deserves to be re-told…..America needs this story re-told at this time….

[@michaelhayden725]

Imho, the most humble of the men who flew in the historic days of space exploration. Stay safe Jim and keep enjoying these years with your beloved Marlyn.

[@rothbj1]

Interviewer is well studied on the mission and asks some good questions that more mainstream media doesn’t.

[@SkulShurtugalTCG]

@Dragomir Ronilac It was always known to be possible as a lifeboat but not really considered useful for most theoretical emergencies.

[@Treetopflyer777]

For me it was almost impossible to hear the interviewer. But great to hear JL speak so well and with such detail

[@Ozefan2580]

I could listen to him all day... and sometimes do, thanks to KZbin. He is such a treasure.

[@skwervin1]

I was a young child when this mission flew and I remember when all this happened and Jim Lovell was always a hero of mine.

[@emmgeevideo]

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

[@JStarStar00]

With the passing of John Glenn and Neil Armstrong, Jim Lovell is our greatest surviving astronaut.

[@jshepard152]

I'll take Tom Stafford over Glenn any day.

[@mroberts2168]

What a great man. A true American hero. All the best to you Jim from Australia

[@resipsaloquitur13]

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

[@wswanberg]

Lovell is proof that solid training and attention to detail are critical components to doing your job well. A lesson obviously not learned by the sound engineer on this video.

[@MargaretUK]

What an absolute delight that was to watch, I could listen to him talk all day, thank you Jim Lovell. I hope I'm that sharp at 92 👍

[@pegaso3terminator75]

Jimmy the worst thin from That interview is that it's have and end, I could listening to you for hours, thanks commander 🙏🙏🇪🇸♥️ we love you man!!

[@jocksavage8658]

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..."

[@yellowstone024]

“We’re gonna take some pictures !” If we don’t get home your not gonna get em’ developed!

[@larrylewislarry]

He is a treasure. Best wishes from New Zealand.

[@addiepower]

This is BRILLIANT! They need to make a full docuseries about Mr Lovell's life. It is so interesting. I wish he was my Grandpa.

[@meveevem1001]

First impression is how pleasant and respectful the interviewer sounds ~ a wonderful beginning to the interview with the legendary brilliant Captain James Lovell.

[@brucewayneissupermanquinn601]

“If they could get a washing machine to fly…my Jimmy could land it”

[@MrPants1970]

When I done my training to be able to sail boats, we were always warned that it’s rare a sudden catastrophic disaster happens, it’s always generally a number of things that lead to a major incident, interesting listening to this and all the steps that lead to the explosion.

[@mikeodil7721]

What a wonderful man. Many thanks Mr Lovell. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do. You’re an inspiration.

[@deke76]

Total badass. National hero.

[@gives_bad_advice]

this man belongs on the $20 bill

[@philosopher1967]

Absolutely wonderful. Mr. Lovell is a national treasure.

[@Dr_Do-Little]

That was amazing. He made me smile.

[@crystalheart9]

What a nice man is Mr. Lovell and was very interesting in telling his story of Apollo 13.

[@proudbirther1998]

This was a really great interview. Jim lit up while telling the story of how he got to Annapolis. I really enjoyed that part of the interview

[@keithbutler9696]

What a lovely, lovely man. Never tire of his conversations.

[@neeferpd]

What a gem of an interview! I could listen to stories of Apollo missions all day long, but the last couple of questions at the end of this session were delightful. Jim lit up telling of his journey from childhood dream to naval academy. Mr. Lovell, thank you for your service!

[@raymondstrehl3679]

What a great guy The story w/wife was the perfect closer .

[@GlowingTube]

Jim Lovell is so brilliant… so much respect for him.

[@pjimmbojimmbo1990]

Jim Lovell was on 2 of the 3 most remembered Apollo Flights, Apollos 8 and 13, the 3rd was Apollo 11

[@lisa-mariegray5510]

Yes! I think he was back up commander of 11?

[@martinhahn1390]

@@lisa-mariegray5510 True

[@pjimmbojimmbo1990]

@Jon Jones I read that Deke asked Neil if he wanted someone other than Buzz as LM Pilot. I aill assume Neil figured they could be a Team.

[@christiankirkwood3402]

A few point's to address here. The 1st out the hatch of the LEM was dictated, pre - flight, by who was CMDR and LMP, with the hatch opening inward, the latched on the port - side, allowing the CMDR, situated on the port-side due to... room/space constraints - in a spacecraft the size of a couple or three "phone boxes" (booth). Fully suited up as they were during descent, that meant Armstrong went out 1st. Aldrin, situated on the starboard-side being the hinged side of the hatch as LMP, dictated he would, logically and from the design and engineering aspect, be second man out. End of argument. The crew's for each flight were drawn up long before it even came to pass that Apollo 11 would make the 1st manned lunar landing. Example. Apollo 8 wws intended to test the LEM and CSM - Anders and Lovell were both slated as LMP for this testing. As it turned out, the LEM wasn't ready and the mission was altered to map out proposed landing sites only 3 months beforehand. As we now, Dave Scott, Jim McDivitt & Rusty (Russell) Schweickart tested the LEM on Apollo 9 in Earth Orbit, with Schweickart testing the moon/EVA suit on that flight. Apollo 10, as we know, flew to within 47,000ft of the Lunar surface, with Tom Stafford and Gene Cernan flying.and testing both the landing site and the Ascent/Descent - stage separation of the LEM... this all subsequently led to Apollo 11 being slated to ATTEMPT the 1st manned landing. The speculation snd reasoning I'm reading prompting this reply is WAY out of factual context. Jim Lovell flew with Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin on Gemini 12. Aldrin absolutely mastered the art of EVA, after many failed and unsuccessful attempts to achieve the various mission goals of the closing Gemini flights, Gemini 10 carried Michael Collins and John Young on one such failed attempt ti retrieve packages located in the instrument - bay at tbe extreme aft end of the Gemini Service Module. Buzz Aldrin was known to be the go - to man for his very canny snd solid understanding of the Apollo "DSKY" computer. That pen he used to actuate the broken and lost circuit - breaker closing the circuit for lift-off from the Lunar surface was a pearl of wisdom, something he knew wouldn't pass current causing shock or short/failure and basically saving their asses to get the ascent-stage off the moon - the toggle had been accidentally and until they went through the preflight, unknowingly knocked off sometime during the process of moving around in those confines in the bulky EVA suit's. Kind regards from Sydney :)

[@christiankirkwood3402]

Additional comment: Firstly, please forgive my grammatical errors. To the point... if an astronaut was lucky enough to be slated on a crew for one of the very limited seats available, even when it was planned to fly up to Apollo 20, for a moon mission, that was achievement enough. Thinking of men like Jim Lovell, John Young, Pete Conrad, Gene Cernan, Dave Scott, who actually flew twice a piece on Apollo, riding a Saturn V rocket TWICE, is indicative of some very special trust sbd concern issue's within NASA concerning mission goals and success as well as bang for buck in the experience stakes. Even with the subsequent Skylab Mission - 3 crewed flights - men like Joe Engel, a veteran of the X15 program and slated for an Apollo "J" mission (15, 16 & 17 of three day's duration on the lunar surface involving use of the rover and intended to fly through and to Apollo 20), yet who was superseded due to mission difficulties and crew preferences, which were drastically altered with the cuts to Apollo 18, 19 & 20 and didn't fly until the STS/ Shuttle mission's, names like Paul Weitz - Skylab, Story Musgrave...there are a few of them, slated for Apollo, yet overlooked and relocated to future flights to ensure NASA obtained the results they pursued with the limited and reduced number of moon landing's.Ken Mattingly, bumped from Apollo 13 with his measles scare, flew Apollo 16 with John Young - on his fourth mission overall, second flying Apollo - Saturn V, alongside Charlie Duke. Mattingly as we know, flew STS 4... Jack Lousma - Skylab 2, another astronaut bumped from Lunar mission to Skylab and STS... NASA seems to have had a "not what you know, but who you know and HOW you know them" scent, yet looking at the reasoning behind crew selection, it's clear that whatever the internal human resource and astronaut/flight assignment, it's clear that it was goal - focus on mission accomplishment and resource/hardware maximization and management. In the end, the men who flew Apollo/Saturn were a rare breed and to find yourself with your arse on the seat of a moon mission was thr accomplishment of a lifetime for a single man, let alone a man like Jim Lovell, who really plays down the smarts and stuff required to be called on and selected as often as he was... navigator of Apollo 8 was no small step... pun intended :)

[@ILSRWY4]

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!

[@gives_bad_advice]

Borman jokes around?

[@williamhunter5549]

Rush were also big fans of the US Space program. If you're a Rush fan then I know you know the track Countdown

[@nickbishop6784]

Thanks for the memories Jim Lovell Nick Australia

[@ChicagoHOG27]

Imagine being at that museum in Paris and he walks up beside you looking at his capsule....

[@MrRadiorobot]

Jim! You are the stuff of hero worship mate, I love this interview..I love hearing you talk about your experiences..I loved your involvement in the presentation of the launch process at KSC..on your word I walked through the door and saw the saturn 5 launch vehicle for the 1st time. Wow!!! .. I was blown away. Thankyou Jim, it was a lifetime highlight xxxx

[@daviddemers9093]

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting this American Treasure at his restaurant Lovell's in Lake Forest (I believe) some years ago. He is completely self-effacing and kind. I remain completely in awe of him. What a patriot and hero! The food at the restaurant, unfortunately, was barely passable. I believe Jim's son actually runs the place.

[@jshepard152]

Ran. It closed several years ago.

[@doremifaso956]

Excellent interview.

[@markusbuhler2361]

Thanks Jim for this interview! I' so glad to see and hear You so well and sharpminded with 92 years!! Chapeau ! and best wishes from Switzerland

[@peterbeales3679]

One of NASA’s finest hours. Apollo 11 was a stellar undertaking. But Apollo 13 was an equal triumph in its own right. The resourcefulness of both crew and ground staff, and sheer bravery and resolve of the crew were just mind blowing.

[@flamesatdei]

Amazing stories. Thank you

[@kylewood8327]

This was just awesome! What a stud!

[@jeffhoward5910]

I know he was a serious bad-ass in his day, but... Look at him now. He seems to have mellowed out into such a lovable fluff-ball! Reminds me of my grandfather. I want to hug him.

[@JasonGlisson]

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

[@IknowtheLord]

I met him in 1970 after the Apollo 13 return, when he visited his son at St. John's Military Academy. More then an amazing individual indeed👍👍

[@andybillnewstime]

I’ve met Jim before. What a gem.

[@bernardcohen3245]

I love this man Gene cerman too

[@jshepard152]

Both class acts.

[@ellonga18]

What a character! Flying hero!

[@ipklondonuk]

great man, every admiration possible, so so interesting

[@Zoso-lz8ov]

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

[@Robbo1966]

Fascinating and great to hear Jim Lovell recounting his exploits so vividly after all these years

[@icon01]

Great stories, what a great bloke. A genuine hero, such an interesting life.

[@craigmeiners6262]

What a great man. That's all I can think of at this moment. So impressive. A national treasure, although I doubt he would agree and that's just fine.

[@rogerwileman9514]

Met Jim at a presentation when I was visiting my son in North Carolina..amazing gentleman..very light hearted talk.god bless.

[@VytisMaleckasBrunius76]

Wow.! Feeling blessed! And inspired. Especially the last portion of the video when Jim with great enthusiasm tells the story about how he got the required education and the other ways. Sens of humor and intellectual grasp, optimism at this age..Wow! I learned a lot from Apollo 13 story and I thought I know almost everything. But to this video. Human spirit is most important and Jim so humbly embodies it. Thank you for those great and inspiring moments. This is real community of saints. GBU.

[@gailwebb9619]

A true American hero! What a delightful interview.....

[@cojaxart8986]

Such a thrilling story by a true hero of our generation. I think of all the movies ever made, Ron Howard and Cast paid this man and all those a NASA a great service . Rarely ever done in Hollywood any more. God bless you Jim Lovell!

[@SenorZorrozzz]

One tough guy. Smart, clear minded.

[@jeffwhite4227]

I could listen to him talk for hours. Bucket list: have dinner with the Lovells!

[@pjimmbojimmbo1990]

Mr Lovell certainly had some Interesting Flights, especially the 2nd Apollo Flights

[@davidg0101]

Could listen to him speak all night. Amazing man.

[@trblemkr1d106]

Amazing man....Apollo 13 was lucky to have him .

[@surfdoc27]

Brilliant

[@Zoomer30_]

I wonder how many times Lovell hqs the dream where, after the issue with the pad tanking, he instead says "just change it" The tank had a long history leading up to Apollo 13. It got dropped at the factory years before the flight (which unknowingly knocked a drain tube out of alignment). It had an almost completely upgraded heating system (the thermostat was still only rated for spacecraft power, not the much higher ground power wattage) After the tanking test, the tank would not expel its O2. So they fire up the fans and heater. The rest is history. (It also helpers that the temperature guage at the control room was pegged at 85F, could not go over that, when the temps probably for over 1000F)

[@_LinusVanPelt]

i love this man! 😺💕 he’s very cool

[@xxuncexx]

Good interview

[@jamiemay6065]

What a guy! God bless America 🇺🇸 and God keep my land glorious and free 🇨🇦

[@Hellridermetal]

Jim Lovell! que gran Astronauta, gran ser humano!

[@Aditi27]

When Capt. Lovell mentioned a son of flight controller working for Mr. Ron Howard he was pointing to son of Mr. Jerry Bostick who worked at Mission Control as FIDO ( Flight Dynamics Officer at the same console )

[@beagley]

Legend

[@chrisgeorgiou735]

Would love to hear about all your life lessons learned. Thanks for your inspiration all these years. Wish you were first. You would have done an excellent ambassador representing apollo11. Go Navy! Chris from Pax River

[@hacksaw]

Great to hear from the man himself. Interviewer should have a mic too so you can hear the questions easier