Jim Lovell, the Apollo 13 commander who led his crew to safety after a near-catastrophic oxygen tank explosion, has died at age 97. Admired for his calm leadership and bravery, Lovell leaves behind a legacy that continues to inspire space exploration.
James “Jim” Lovell, the famed NASA astronaut who commanded the perilous Apollo 13 mission, has passed away at age 97 in Lake Forest, Illinois, according to NASA’s official statement. Lovell played a pivotal role in NASA’s early space exploration, participating in historic missions such as Gemini 7, Gemini 12, and Apollo 8 — the first mission to orbit the Moon. Despite never walking on the lunar surface, Lovell’s leadership during the harrowing Apollo 13 crisis — triggered by an oxygen tank explosion en route to the Moon — proved his composure under pressure and turned a near-tragedy into one of NASA’s most inspiring “successful failures”.
Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy reflected on Lovell’s enduring legacy, praising his courage and calm leadership as fundamental to humanity’s lunar achievements. He noted that Lovell’s heroism continues to guide Earth’s path toward future missions, including the Artemis Moon program NASA. Tom Hanks, who immortalized Lovell in the Oscar-winning film Apollo 13, also paid tribute to the astronaut, writing that Lovell “dared, dreamed, and led others to places we would not go on our own,” adding a heartfelt “Godspeed you, on this next voyage” to his post.
Captain Lovell’s legacy extends beyond his spaceflights — he was a former Navy pilot and post-retirement business leader, and remained a symbol of humility and inspiration throughout his life. He is survived by four children, eleven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren
