Damage to Apollo 13
NASA, Crew of Apollo 13
In April of 1970, after an oxygen tank exploded and damaged their
service module, the
Apollo 13
astronauts were forced to abandon their plans to make the third manned
lunar landing. The extent of the damage is revealed in this photo,
taken as the crippled module was drifting away - jettisoned prior to
their reentry and eventual safe splashdown. An entire panel on the right
side of the module is seen to have
been blown away and damage to internal structures is apparent.