What phrase is used to globally define the Apollo 13 mission, given the loss of the primary goal but the successful recovery of the crew?
Answer
A successful failure
Although Apollo 13 failed in its fundamental scientific and exploration purpose—landing men on the Moon—the safe return of the three astronauts following a near-catastrophic in-flight emergency entirely transformed the mission's legacy. The sheer demonstration of human ingenuity, engineering prowess in crisis management, and the absolute commitment to astronaut safety, leading to a successful re-entry using severely compromised systems, caused the event to be globally recognized and labeled as a 'successful failure.' This dual designation encapsulates both the lost objective and the salvaged human lives.
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