Tributes Flow for Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell

The Cosmosphere space museum in Hutchinson, Kansas, is paying tribute to James A. Lovell Jr., commander of the Apollo 13 mission, who passed away Thursday at his home in Lake Forest, Illinois. He was 97 years old. Lovell’s leadership during the harrowing 1970 Apollo 13 flight, which experienced a critical explosion two days into its journey to the moon, ensured the safe return of the crew to Earth after significant damage to the spacecraft’s electrical and life support systems forced an aborted lunar landing. The mission’s dramatic events were later dramatized in the acclaimed 1995 film Apollo 13.

“We are deeply saddened by Captain Lovell’s death,” stated Jim Remar, President and CEO of the Cosmosphere. “He was a monumental figure and represents the very best of American ingenuity and courage. The museum is committed to preserving his memory through our collection.”

The Cosmosphere holds significant artifacts related to the Apollo missions, most notably the Apollo 13 Command Module, nicknamed “Odyssey,” and Lovell’s own spacesuit. Visitors can now record their condolences and reflections in a memorial book situated alongside these iconic displays, offering an opportunity for remembrance and respect for Captain Lovell’s enduring legacy.