James A. Lovell Jr., the commander of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission that survived a catastrophic explosion in space in 1970, has died at the age of 97. Lovell led the three-man crew that endured extreme temperatures and improvised repairs to return safely to Earth.
Born on March 25, 1928, in Cleveland, Ohio, Lovell was an accomplished test pilot before joining NASA’s astronaut program. He flew for over 715 hours in space, becoming one of the most experienced astronauts in history.
Lovell’s Apollo 13 mission aimed to land on the moon but was aborted after an oxygen tank explosion damaged the spacecraft’s systems. The crew used the lunar module as a lifeboat, looping around the moon before making a daring slingshot maneuver to return to Earth.
The mission showcased Lovell’s exceptional leadership and problem-solving skills, earning him widespread acclaim and cementing his place in history. Despite not reaching the moon, Lovell considered Apollo 13 a triumph, highlighting the ingenuity of the crew in overcoming adversity.
Lovell retired from NASA in 1973 and went on to have a successful business career. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1970 and received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 1995.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/08/science/space/james-a-lovell-jr-dead.html