James Lovell will speak here April 16

In his talk, "Apollo 13: A Successful Failure," Lovell will share a behind-the-scenes account of what was to be the fifth U.S. mission to the moon -- until a technical failure had the spacecraft crew battling for survival. The lecture, sponsored by the Cornell University Program Board, is open to the general public. Admission is $10 ($5 for Cornell students). Tickets can be purchased at the Willard Straight Hall ticket desk, fourth floor. For further details, call 255-7132, or send e-mail to the program board at <cupb@cornell.edu>.

Lovell was chosen for the space program in 1962 following extensive experience as a naval aviator and test pilot. His fourth, final and most well-known flight was as spacecraft commander on the Apollo 13 mission. Facing a critical oxygen failure after 55 hours into the flight, Lovell and his crew successfully modified their lunar landing module into an effective lifeboat, thus conserving electrical power and water to ensure their survival and their safe return to Earth four days later.

For his skill as a naval aviator and spaceship commander, Lovell has garnered an impressive share of honors, including the Harmon, Collier and Goddard Aerospace trophies, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, France's Legion d'Honneur, the NASA Distinguished and Exceptional Service Medals, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, two Navy Distinguished Flying Crosses and the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. He is a fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.