Space & Astronomy

Legendary Apollo 13 commander Jim Lovell dies, aged 97

By T.K. Randall
August 9, 2025

Image Credit: NASA On April 11, 1970, Lovell, alongside fellow NASA astronauts Jack Swigert and Fred Haise, launched into the heavens on what was intended to be the third crewed mission to land on the Moon.

Two days later, however, one of the oxygen tanks, which had unknowingly suffered damage before launch, exploded, throwing the three men into a fight for their very lives.

With no pre-existing strategy for dealing with such an eventuality, the astronauts, along with NASA personnel on the ground, battled to find a way to keep them alive long enough to get back home.

Over the next few days they would improvise a number of solutions, including creating a carbon dioxide filter out of duct tape, socks and bungee cord to stop the men from suffocating.

The lunar module, which was designed to land on the surface of the Moon, instead became a makeshift lifeboat thanks to its independent source of oxygen, water and power. Incredibly, all three astronauts managed to make it back home very much alive on April 17th.

There is no denying, however, just how close they came to complete disaster.

After Apollo 13, Lovell went on to enjoy a distinguished career, becoming director of the Johnson Space Center from 1973 to 1975 and working on various NASA advisory committees.

He died this week at the age of 97.

"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," NASA said in a statement.

"We mourn his passing even as we celebrate his achievements."

Source: The Guardian

Tags: Apollo 13, Moon