The New Mexico Museum of Space History announced the passing of Jim Lovell, a celebrated astronaut and space pioneer, on July 7, 2025. Lovell was 97 years old.
James A. Lovell Jr., known for his role in pivotal space missions, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1928. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1952 and served as a naval aviator and test pilot before joining NASA as an astronaut in 1962.
Lovell's career included four spaceflights: Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8, and Apollo 13. Notably, he commanded Apollo 13 during its critical mission failure and safely returned the crew to Earth. He spent nearly a month in space and was the first person to travel to the Moon twice without landing.
After retiring from NASA and the Navy in 1973, Lovell led several businesses and received numerous accolades such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. He was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame in 1982.
Lovell co-authored "Lost Moon," which inspired the film "Apollo 13," where he made a cameo appearance. His contributions to space exploration are remembered for their courage and impact on future generations.
The New Mexico Museum of Space History is part of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and highlights New Mexico's role in U.S. space development.
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