Astronaut Jim Lovell, better known as the commander of the almost tragic mission of Apollo 13 to the Moon, died Thursday in Illinois. He was 97 years old.
Lovell was a veteran of four spatial laps: Gemini VII, Gemini XII, Apollo 8 and Apollo 13.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Lovell family highlighted its “incredible achievements of life and career” and its “legendary leadership in the pioneering human flight.”
“But, for all of us, he was a father, grandfather and the leader of our family. The most important thing, he was our hero,” the family said in his statement. “We will miss his unwavering optimism, his sense of humor and the way he made each of us feel that we could do the impossible. He was really unique.”
NASA’s interim administration, Sean Duffy, said in a press release: “NASA sends its condolences to the family of Captain Jim Lovell, whose life and work inspired millions of people over the decades.
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