[Apollo 13]

FLOWN TO THE MOON ON APOLLO 13.

At just under 56 hours into the Apollo 13 mission, an oxygen tank exploded when the cryogenic fans were activated, resulting in a major loss of electrical power to the Command and Service Module and forcing the crew to cancel the lunar landing.

The present lot relates to the pressurization systems in the cabin of the Command Module Odyssey. The pressurization systems were integral to maintain and monitor to keep from further catastrophe, as the damage to the oxygen tank limited the breathable air available to the crew.

The mission objective changed from the third attempted lunar landing to ensure the crew’s survival in the damaged spacecraft. The crew moved from the CSM Odyssey into the Lunar Module Aquarius, using it as a lifeboat for the four-day journey around the Moon and return to Earth. The NASA mission control staff and the contractor team worked around the clock to develop an alternate flight plan to return the crew to Earth safely despite seemingly insurmountable challenges. The mission stands out as a paragon of teamwork and first-class training.