On April 13, 2015 the Adler Planetarium commemorated the 45th anniversary of Apollo XIII and dedicated Mission Moon, the Adler's newest exhibit, which features artifacts from the personal collection of astronaut and American hero Captain James A. Lovell, Jr.

In 1968, Captain Lovell became one of the first three humans to fly to and orbit the moon. He then commanded the 1970 Apollo 13 lunar mission which, after a critical failure en route, circled around the moon and returned safely to earth through the efforts of the crew and mission control.He was the first person to fly into space four times. A small crater on the far side of the moon was named Lovell in his honor in 1970; not a landmark many can visit, but as impressive as it comes!

Captain Lovell was joined at the event by fellow astronauts Michael Collins, Walter Cunningham and Charles Duke, as well as flight directors Gerald Griffin and Milton Windler.

The Adler Planetarium is America's first planetarium and a premiere resource for inspiring the next generation of space explorers. And this group is plenty inspiring!