1970 in spaceflight 1970 in spaceflight Japan and China each launched their first satellites in 1970, bringing the total number of nations with independent launch capability to five. Apollo 13 was launched; after suffering an explosion in deep space it had to circumnavigate the moon and use the LM as a life boat. Apollo 13 was a successful disaster in which the crew survived. The Soviet space program continued its Luna program with Luna 17, which delivered the robotic Lunokhod 1 rover to the lunar surface, and Luna 16, which achieved the first unmanned lunar sample return. The Soviets also continued the success
HMS Apollo (F70) HMS Apollo (F70) HMS "Apollo" was a batch 3B broadbeam of the Royal Navy. She was, like the rest of the class, named after a figure of mythology. "Apollo" was built by Yarrow Shipbuilders of Scotstoun. She was launched on 15 October 1970 and commissioned on 28 May 1972, making her the penultimate "Leander". Both "Apollo" and "Ariadne" are easily distinguished from the other "Leander"s by their 'witches hat' - fitted to the top of the foremast as a part of the electronic warfare array. "Apollo" was fitted out as a general purpose frigate. Her armament included two Vickers 45