James Lovell, Apollo 13 commander and a pivotal figure in the early space program, passed away at 97. NASA confirmed his death, praising his courage and contributions to the space exploration legacy. Lovell, a four-time astronaut, famously led the Apollo 13 mission, which became a dramatic survival story after an onboard explosion. He was also prominently featured in the 1995 film adaptation, often joking about the comparison to Tom Hanks, who portrayed him. His contributions to Gemini and Apollo programs, including the crucial two-week Gemini 7 mission preparing for lunar landings, are widely celebrated.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.