Jim Lovell, the renowned NASA astronaut who commanded the dramatic Apollo 13 mission, passed away on August 7 in Lake Forest, Illinois, at the age of 97, according to a NASA news release, as cited by CNN. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed.
Lovell’s family expressed their sorrow in a statement, calling him “a Navy pilot and officer, astronaut, leader, and space explorer.” They celebrated his “legendary leadership in pioneering human space flight.” “He was truly one of a kind,” the family said, as per CNN, remembering his “unshakeable optimism” and humour.
Before commanding Apollo 13, Lovell was already an experienced astronaut, having flown missions Gemini 7, Gemini 12, and Apollo 8.
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Apollo 13, launched in 1970, was meant to be NASA’s third crewed moon landing, but an oxygen tank explosion on the service module forced the crew to abort the mission. Lovell famously informed mission control with the words, “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” With critical systems failing, the crew had to use the moon’s gravity to slingshot back to Earth, ultimately splashing down safely in the South Pacific Ocean three days later.
The mission is remembered as a “successful failure” for the safe return of the astronauts against daunting odds.
Lovell was part of NASA’s second astronaut class, known as the “New Nine,” and became the first person to fly four space missions. His Apollo 8 mission was the first to orbit the moon.
Tributes pour in
Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy praised Lovell’s “calm strength under pressure” as crucial to Apollo 13’s success, according to CNN.
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Retired astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second person to walk on the moon, paid tribute on social media, calling Lovell “one of my best friends” and honoring his legacy across missions Gemini VII, Gemini XII, Apollo 8, and Apollo 13.
After Apollo 13, Lovell received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1970 and later served as deputy director of NASA’s Johnson Space Centre. He retired from both the Navy and NASA in 1973 and was inducted into the US Astronaut Hall of Fame in 1993.
President Bill Clinton awarded him the Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 1995.
Lovell was also involved in discussions over ownership rights of mission artifacts, leading to a 2012 law granting astronauts ownership of their collected items.
(With inputs from CNN)
