Jim Lovell, Apollo 13 Commander and Aviation Icon, Dies at 97

Decorated Naval Aviator and test pilot became one of the most experienced astronauts of his era, best known for his steady command during the Apollo 13 crisis.

Ryan Ewing

Saturday, August 09, 2025 at 11:21 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Jim Lovell [Credit: U.S. Air Force/Melanie Rodgers Cox]

Key Takeaways:

Captain James "Jim" Lovell, Jr., the celebrated NASA astronaut and commander of the perilous Apollo 13 mission, has died at the age of 97.
A pioneering figure in space exploration, Lovell was the first person to make four journeys into space, participating in historic missions such as Apollo 8, the first human flight around the Moon.
He is most remembered for his steady leadership during the Apollo 13 mission, successfully guiding his crew back to Earth after an in-flight emergency, an event later depicted in a popular film.

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Captain James “Jim” Lovell, Jr., the celebrated naval aviator, test pilot, and NASA astronaut who commanded the harrowing Apollo 13 mission, has died at the age of 97. His family announced he passed away peacefully at his home.

Lovell’s career in the sky began long before he joined NASA. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1952, he became a naval aviator, flying various jets from carriers. He later transitioned to a role as a test pilot at the Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent River, Maryland, where he pushed the boundaries of high-performance aircraft like the F4H Phantom.