Current location of the Apollo 13 command module Odyssey
The Apollo 13 command module Odyssey is on permanent public display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Merritt Island, Florida, operated by Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex under a long-term loan from NASA. The spacecraft returned to Earth on April 17, 1970, landing in the South Pacific, was recovered by the USS Iwo Jima, and entered museum storage before being restored and prepared for exhibition. As of the most recent public information, it remains at this location, serving as the centerpiece of the Apollo 13 mission exhibit in the Apollo and Beyond gallery.
Odyssey mission profile and quick facts
Launched on April 11, 1970, Apollo 13 was intended as the third lunar landing mission. An oxygen tank explosion on April 13 forced the crew to use the Lunar Module Aquarius as a lifeboat and return around the Moon without landing. The command module reentered the atmosphere on April 17 and splashed down in the South Pacific. Below are key, verifiable attributes of the mission and capsule’s current status.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Command module name | Odyssey | NASA mission documentation |
| Current location | Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Merritt Island, Florida | Institution website and public display inventories |
| Recovery ship after splashdown | USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) | NASA mission transcripts |
| Mission launch date | April 11, 1970 | Official mission timeline |
| Splashdown date | April 17, 1970 | Mission logs |
| Display status | On long-term loan from NASA, publicly exhibited | Visitor complex exhibit descriptions |
From spaceflight to museum display
After splashdown, the command module was retrieved by the USS Iwo Jima and transported to Pearl Harbor. It was later transferred to the Smithsonian, placed in storage, and eventually selected for restoration and public display. The level of preservation allows visitors to see the capsule exterior and some interior panels, providing a direct connection to the near-disaster and the successful recovery. The exhibit highlights the engineering, crew actions, and mission support that brought the crew home safely.
Restoration and conservation
Conservators cleaned and stabilized the exterior surfaces, documented micrometeoroid pitting, and preserved heat shield discoloration where appropriate. Because Odyssey traveled through high-energy reentry heating, some materials show expected wear from that event and subsequent decades in storage and display. The restoration balanced historical authenticity with structural stability to ensure the artifact remains viewable by the public for decades.
Visiting the capsule at Kennedy Space Center
The Apollo 13 exhibit is located within the Apollo and Beyond gallery at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The display includes mission artifacts, photographs, and interpretive panels that outline the challenges faced by the crew and the team on the ground. The Visitor Complex is a separate entity from NASA, operating retail, dining, and educational experiences on the Kennedy Space Center site under a cooperative agreement. Plan for security procedures similar to those at commercial airports, and check the complex website for hours and ticket information.
What to expect at the exhibit
- Exterior view of the Odyssey command module with signage describing its role in the mission
- Mission timeline, artifacts, and multimedia presentations that narrate the events of April 1970
- Comparative displays showing the command module and lunar module hardware
- Explanations of reentry, splashdown, and recovery operations
Engineering and mission context
The command module was designed to return crews from lunar trajectories, with a heat shield, reaction control system, and parachutes that ensured a ocean landing. Apollo 13 demonstrated the limits and resilience of this architecture when an oxygen tank failure crippled the service module. Engineers on the ground used the lunar module as a lifeboat and battery pack, while the command module was powered down to conserve resources for reentry. The successful splashdown and recovery validated the design and procedures under extreme conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Because the capsule is in a museum setting rather than at a NASA center, logistical and access questions arise often. Below are concise, factual answers to common inquiries based on publicly available information and site guidance.
- Can you touch the Apollo 13 command module on display? Generally, barrier protection and museum policy prevent direct tactile contact, but viewing distance is close and signage provides context.
- Is the Lunar Module Aquarius on display? No; the Aquarius burned up in Earth’s atmosphere during reentry. Only the command module Odyssey is preserved and exhibited.
- Are there plans to move the capsule to another museum? As of current public information, the display agreement remains with the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, and no relocation plans have been announced.
- What other Apollo artifacts can be seen nearby? The Visitor Complex displays flight hardware from multiple Apollo missions, including command modules, lunar modules, and Saturn V elements.
Key points to remember
The Apollo 13 command module Odyssey is on long-term display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. It returned from the Moon in 1970, was recovered at sea, and is now presented as a key artifact of one of NASA’s most challenging missions. Understanding its current location and display status helps connect the historic flight to modern public engagement with space history.