The world of space exploration bids farewell to one of its most emblematic figures. Jim Lovell, commander of the Apollo 13 mission and veteran of four space flights, passed away on August 7, 2025 in Lake Forest, Illinois, at the age of 97.
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His life, marked by leadership, resilience, and innovation, left a deep mark on the history of NASA. Lovell accumulated 715 hours in space, a record that stood until the Skylab era.
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Jim Lovell, a legacy of bravery and exploration
“We are saddened by the passing of Jim Lovell, commander of Apollo 13 and veteran of four space flights. Lovell’s life and work inspired millions,” they wrote in the latest post on NASA’s X.
Lovell was selected as an astronaut in 1962 and participated in the Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8, and Apollo 13 missions. In Apollo 8, along with Frank Borman and William Anders, he was part of the first manned flight to orbit the Moon and the first to launch with the Saturn V rocket, paving the way for the moon landing.
In Apollo 13, his leadership under pressure was crucial in saving the crew after the explosion of an oxygen tank that forced the moon landing to be canceled. Lovell and his companions improvised technical solutions together with mission control to turn the lunar module into a “rescue ship” and return safely to Earth.
Although the phrase “Houston, we have a problem” is popularly attributed to Lovell, it was actually first said by Jack Swigert. Lovell repeated it immediately after, becoming part of history.
Nicknamed “Smilin’ Jim” for his charisma, he also served as a pilot and officer in the United States Navy. After retiring in 1973, he ran the Bay-Houston Towing Company, eventually becoming its president and CEO.