1978: NOAA announces gender-neutral hurricane naming system
Federal News Network presents a daily update of important moments in the history of the U.S. government.
On April 13, 1970, oxygen tank No. 2 blew up onboard NASA’s Apollo 13 spacecraft – the third manned lunar landing mission. Astronauts James Lovell, John Swigert, and Fred Haise had left Earth two days before for the Fra Mauro highlands of the moon but were forced to turn their attention to safely returning home. Mission commander Lovell reported to mission control on Earth: “Houston, we’ve had a problem here,” and it was discovered that the normal supply of oxygen, electricity, light, and water had been disrupted. The landing mission was aborted, and the astronauts and controllers on Earth scrambled to come up with emergency procedures. The crippled spacecraft continued to the moon, circled it, and began a long, cold journey back to Earth. The logistical and navigational maneuvers required were untested and incredibly challenging, but the crew touched down safely in the Pacific Ocean on April 17.
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