Tim Johnsen (@timonus.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy)

# James A. Lovell Jim Lovell was a veteran of the Gemini VII, Gemini XII, and Apollo 8 missions before becoming the Mission Commander for the nearly disastrous Apollo 13 mission to the Moon. ### Quick Facts Lovell joined NASA in 1962 as part of its second group of astronauts. Lovell’s first space flight was Gemini 7. During Lovell’s four missions he logged 715 hours in space, a record that stood until surpassed by Skylab crew members in 1973. Lovell’s Apollo 13 crew included John L. “Jack” Swigert Jr. and Fred W. Haise Jr. Lovell has logged more than 7,000 hours in a variety of aircraft, including 3,500 hours in high-performance jets. ## A statement from the family of Apollo astronaut Jim Lovell on his passing: “We are saddened to announce the passing of our beloved father, USN Captain James A. “Jim” Lovell, a Navy pilot and officer, astronaut, leader, and space explorer. He was 97. We are enormously proud of his amazing life and career accomplishments, highlighted by his legendary leadership in pioneering human space flight. But, to all of us, he was Dad, Granddad, and the Leader of our family. Most importantly, he was our Hero. We will miss his unshakeable optimism, his sense of humor, and the way he made each of us feel we could do the impossible. He was truly one of a kind.” S69-62241 (1969) — Astronaut James A. Lovell. NASA This photograph shows Apollo 13 astronauts Fred Haise, John Swigert, and James Lovell aboard the recovery ship, USS Iwo Jima after safely touching down in the Pacific Ocean at the end of their ill-fated mission. The mission was aborted after 56 hours of flight, 205,000 miles from Earth, when an oxygen tank in the service module exploded. The command module, Odyssey, brought the three astronauts back home safely. (1 Nov. 1968) — The Apollo 8 prime crew is seen inside the gondola during centrifuge training in MSC’s Flight Acceleration Facility, Building 29. Left to right, are astronauts William A. Anders, lunar module pilot, James A. Lovell Jr., command module pilot; and Frank Borman, commander. Photo credit: NASA NASA Jim Lovell and Buzz Aldrin in the capsule of Gemini XII ### Biography ## James A. Lovell Learn more about Astronaut James A. Lovell, including when he was selected by NASA to be an astronaut, his flight experience, education, background and more. Learn More about James A. Lovell Astronaut Jim Lovell during training in his EVA suit ## More About James Lovell More Former Astronauts Article 4 Min Read Apollo 13: The Successful Failure Article 7 Min Read 50 Years Ago: Apollo 13 Aquarius European Goodwill Tour Article 9 Min Read 55 Years Ago: Gemini XII Closes Out a Successful Program, Paves the Way for Apollo Article 11 Min Read 60 Years Ago: NASA Selects A Second Group of Astronauts ## James Lovell 29 Images Go To Gallery Go To Gallery Keep Exploring ## Discover More Topics From NASA Astronauts Humans In Space The Apollo Program Artemis https://www.nasa.gov/former-astronaut-james-a-lovell/