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, the renowned NASA astronaut and commander of the Apollo 13 mission, has passed away at the age of 97.
Lovell had a distinguished career as a naval aviator and test pilot before becoming one of NASA's "New Nine" astronauts, and was the first person to journey into space four times.
He is most recognized for his crucial leadership during the 1970 Apollo 13 mission, where he successfully navigated the crippled spacecraft and its crew safely back to Earth after an onboard explosion.

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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.