Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell Passes Away at 97

Astronaut Jim Lovell, known for commanding the Apollo 13 mission, passed away in Illinois at the age of 97.

Lovell had a distinguished career, participating in four spaceflights: Gemini VII, Gemini XII, Apollo 8, and Apollo 13.

In a statement, Lovell's family praised his life achievements and leadership in human space flight, remembering him as a hero and a source of optimism and humor.

NASA Administrator Sean Duffy expressed condolences, highlighting Lovell's inspiration to millions and his crucial role in the success of the Apollo missions.

Joining NASA in 1962, Lovell was part of the "Next Nine" group of astronauts, which included Neil Armstrong and others.

Lovell's spaceflights were instrumental in testing technologies for space station operations, culminating in the Apollo 13 mission in 1970.

During Apollo 13, Lovell and his crew faced a critical situation when an oxygen tank exploded, leading to a daring rescue operation by NASA.

Despite the challenges, Lovell's leadership and the efforts of NASA engineers ensured the safe return of the crew, marking the mission as a "successful failure."

Portrayed by Tom Hanks in the movie "Apollo 13," Lovell became a well-known figure in the history of space exploration.

Born in 1928, Lovell graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1952 and retired from NASA in 1973 after logging over 7,000 flying hours and spending 715 hours in orbit.

Reflecting on his life, Lovell expressed gratitude for his experiences as an aviator and astronaut, emphasizing his willingness to embrace the challenges and risks of space exploration.