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Today in History: Apollo 13 crew faces crisis after oxygen tank explosion

4/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On April 14, 1970, during the Apollo 13 mission, an oxygen tank explosion severely compromised the spacecraft's electrical and life-support systems. Astronaut Jack Swigert famously reported, "Houston, we've had a problem here." The crew, led by Jim Lovell, adapted their mission to loop around the Moon and safely return to Earth on April 17.

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Story summary

On April 14, 1970, during the Apollo 13 mission, an oxygen tank explosion severely compromised the spacecraft's electrical and life-support systems. Astronaut Jack Swigert famously reported, "Houston, we've had a problem here." The crew, led by Jim Lovell, adapted their mission to loop around the Moon and safely return to Earth on April 17.