James Lovell, Apollo 13 Commander and Space Hero, Dies at 97

NASA astronaut James Lovell, celebrated for his pivotal role in safely returning the crew of Apollo 13 to Earth after a near-fatal crisis, has died. The space agency confirmed his passing on Friday; he was 97 years old. Lovell’s death occurred Thursday in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Lovell is most famously associated with the Apollo 13 mission in April 1970, which experienced a catastrophic oxygen tank explosion en route to the Moon. The incident prompted an extraordinary collaborative effort between the astronauts and NASA’s Mission Control, showcasing Lovell’s remarkable composure and leadership under immense pressure. The now-iconic phrase “Houston, we’ve had a problem” originated from that tense mission. The event was later dramatized in the acclaimed 1995 film Apollo 13, with Tom Hanks portraying Lovell, who also made an appearance in the movie.

Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy lauded Lovell’s legacy, stating his contributions inspired generations and underscored the nation’s ability to achieve ambitious goals while learning from adversity. Duffy emphasized that Lovell embodied the spirit of exploration.

Following his retirement from both NASA and the Navy in 1973, Lovell pursued a successful career in business and co-authored Lost Moon, a detailed account of the Apollo 13 mission that served as the basis for the film’s screenplay. He received numerous accolades throughout his lifetime, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and induction into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 1993.

Lovell frequently remarked on the unexpected fame that arose from the near-disaster, noting it brought him greater recognition than a routine lunar landing would have provided. He once stated that successfully navigating problems separated “the men from the boys.”

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1928 and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Lovell’s early fascination with aviation propelled him to join the Navy. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1952, he became a naval aviator and test pilot before being selected for NASA’s second astronaut group in 1962.

Prior to Apollo 13, Lovell participated in Gemini 7 (1965), setting a record for the duration of manned spaceflight; Gemini 12 (1966), where he performed crucial spacewalks; and Apollo 8 (1968), the first mission to orbit the Moon. Tributes from fellow astronauts, including former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, quickly followed news of his passing, with many acknowledging Lovell’s profound influence as a role model and source of inspiration.