Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell Dies at 97

Jim Lovell, famed commander of the Apollo 13 mission, has died at age 97 in Lake Forest, Illinois. Lovell flew on Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8, and Apollo 13, becoming the first person to travel to the Moon twice, though he never landed. He commanded the first mission to orbit the Moon and was celebrated for his leadership during the 1970 Apollo 13 crisis, safely guiding his crew home. NASA, his family, and Tom Hanks, who portrayed him in the film 'Apollo 13,' paid tribute to his courage and pioneering spirit. Lovell was admired for his kindness, wit, and post-retirement advocacy for space exploration. He leaves a legacy as a national hero and enduring inspiration.