Apollo 13 was the seventh crewed mission in the Apollo space program and the third meant to land on the Moon. The craft was launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 11, 1970, but the lunar landing was aborted after an oxygen tank in the service module (SM) failed two days into the mission. The crew instead looped around the Moon in a circumlunar trajectory and returned safely to Earth on April 17.

Apollo 13 was the seventh crewed mission in the Apollo space program and the third meant to land on the Moon. The craft was launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 11, 1970, but the lunar landing was aborted after an oxygen tank in the service module (SM) failed two days into the mission. The crew instead looped around the Moon in a circumlunar trajectory and returned safely to Earth on April 17.

The mission was commanded by Jim Lovell, with Jack Swigert as command module (CM) pilot and Fred Haise as Lunar Module (LM) pilot. The crew was originally scheduled to be Lovell, Swigert, and Fred Haise, but Ken Mattingly was replaced by Swigert just days before the launch due to a suspected case of German measles.

The accident occurred on April 13, 1970, when an oxygen tank in the SM ruptured. This caused a loss of oxygen and power, which crippled the SM. The crew was forced to move to the LM, Aquarius, which was only designed to support two men for two days.

With limited resources, the crew and ground control worked together to devise a plan to return them to Earth safely. They used the LM's propulsion system to power the CM, and they used the LM's heat shield during reentry.

The crew of Apollo 13 landed safely in the Pacific Ocean on April 17, 1970. They were all hailed as heroes, and their story is considered one of the greatest achievements in human spaceflight.

The accident on Apollo 13 was a major setback for the Apollo program, but it also led to important safety improvements. The design of the SM was changed to prevent another oxygen tank rupture, and new procedures were put in place to ensure that the crew would be able to survive in the event of a similar accident.

The Apollo 13 mission is a testament to the ingenuity and determination of the human spirit. The crew's ability to think quickly and adapt to a rapidly changing situation saved their lives, and their story continues to inspire people around the world.

The Apollo 13 mission has been the subject of numerous books, articles, and films. The most famous film adaptation is the 1995 film "Apollo 13," which stars Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Ed Harris, and Gary Sinise. The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

The Apollo 13 mission is a reminder of the dangers and challenges of space exploration. However, it is also a story of hope and perseverance. The crew of Apollo 13 showed the world that anything is possible when people work together and never give up.