Veteran space traveler James Lovell, commander of the Apollo 13 mission, will be sharing his experience aboard the space craft that nearly cost him and his fellow astronauts their lives, when he comes to UC Davis on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Two days after the launch an explosion destroyed the craft's oxygen system and the main rocket engine, and it caused a failure in the electrical system on board the command module. Twenty-five years after his space flight, Lovell wrote "Lost Moon," a book that chronicled the events of the perilous mission. That book was the inspiration behind the movie "Apollo 13" that was produced last year featuring Oscar-winner Tom Hanks, who portrayed Lovell. Today, Lovell owns a company that is devoted to disseminating information about the U.S. space program. Prior to his speaking engagement at Recreation Hall, news media will have an opportunity to interview Lovell at 7:30 p.m. behind the stage.