Jim Lovell, Apollo 13 Commander, Dies at 97

Jim Lovell, the American astronaut who led the dramatic Apollo 13 mission and inspired millions with his courage and calm under pressure, has died at the age of 97. NASA confirmed that Lovell passed away on Thursday in Illinois.

A former US Navy pilot and one of the most celebrated figures in space exploration, Lovell became a household name in 1970 when he commanded Apollo 13, a mission that was intended to land on the Moon but turned into one of NASA’s most perilous rescues after an oxygen tank exploded mid-flight.

The crisis gave birth to one of the most famous phrases in space history, “Houston, we have a problem.” The incident turned a routine mission into an international drama, with three astronauts stranded in space and at risk of never returning home.

Thanks to Lovell’s leadership, NASA’s ingenuity, and the crew’s composure, Apollo 13’s lunar module was transformed into a makeshift lifeboat. The team returned safely to Earth in an extraordinary feat of human resilience and problem-solving.

Lovell’s story became the basis for the 1995 Hollywood blockbuster *Apollo 13*, starring Tom Hanks as Lovell and featuring the astronaut himself in a cameo role. The mission’s survival overshadowed the fact that Lovell, who flew to the Moon twice, never set foot on its surface.

Born on March 25, 1928, in Cleveland, Ohio, Lovell joined NASA after serving as a Navy pilot. He was one of the first astronauts to orbit the Moon, witnessing the famous “Earthrise,” a now-iconic image showing our blue planet rising over the lunar horizon.

In recognition of his achievements, the International Astronomical Union named a small lunar crater after Lovell in 1970. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his role in Apollo 13.

Lovell is remembered as a pioneer of space exploration whose life and career inspired generations. His family described him as a hero whose optimism, humor, and belief in the impossible touched everyone he met.