SPACE veteran and heroic Apollo 13 commander Jim Lovell has died at the age of 97.
Jim passed away on August 7, in Lake Forest, Illinois with NASA leading tributes for the “unforgettable astronaut”.
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The proud Cleveland native was one of NASA’s most traveled astronauts as he went to space a remarkable four times.
He was on board Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8 and the infamous Apollo 13.
Jim was hailed a hero after he managed to prevent certain tragedy after disaster struck the three-man space crew during Apollo 13’s journey.
In April 1970, the spacecraft’s service module experienced a sudden oxygen tank explosion on its way to the moon.
Jim and fellow astronauts Jack Swigert and Fred Haise were plunged into darkness after the blast as the world watched on in horror.
The astronauts barely survived as they spent four cold days stranded 200,000 miles from Earth.
In a nail-biting string of events, the astronauts’ only option was to cram into a lunar lander to attempt the gruelling journey back to Earth, guided by mission controllers.
Captain Lovell was just 42 years old at the time and the world’s most-travelled astronaut.
The journey was meant to mark Jim as the fifth man to walk on the moon.
He was already in the history books for the Apollo 8 mission which took place two years earlier.
Jim served as Command Module Pilot and Navigator on the epic six-day journey which marked man’s maiden voyage to
the moon.
His death was announced by NASA on Friday.
They said: “We are saddened by the passing of Jim Lovell, commander of Apollo 13 and a four-time spaceflight veteran.
“Lovell’s life and work inspired millions. His courage under pressure helped forge our path to the Moon and beyond – a journey that continues today.
Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy also paid a touching tribute to Jim.
He said: “NASA sends its condolences to the family of Capt. Jim Lovell, whose life and work inspired millions of people across the decades.
“Jim’s character and steadfast courage helped our nation reach the Moon and turned a potential tragedy into a success from which we learned an enormous amount.
“We mourn his passing even as we celebrate his achievements.
“From a pair of pioneering Gemini missions to the successes of Apollo, Jim helped our nation forge a historic path in space that carries us forward to upcoming Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond.
“Known for his wit, this unforgettable astronaut was nicknamed Smilin’ Jim by his fellow astronauts because he was quick with a grin when he had a particularly funny comeback.
“Jim also served our country in the military, and the Navy has lost a proud academy graduate and test pilot.”
He logged more than 7,000 hours flying time- – including more than 3,500 hours in jet aircraft during his time in the navy.
The tribute concluded: “Jim Lovell embodied the bold resolve and optimism of both past and future explorers, and we will remember him always.”
Captain Lovell was even once appointed to work for former US President Lyndon B. Johnson as his consultant for Physical Fitness
and Sports in 1967.
Jim’s wife, Marilynn, died in 2023, just a year after a documentary was released on Netflix showcasing the Apollo 13 disaster and rescue.
The couple are now survived by their four children.
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