The staff at NM Space History Museum is saddened to hear of the death of space pioneer, astronaut Jim Lovell, on July 7, 2025, at age 97. James A. Lovell Jr. was the renowned astronaut who flew on Apollo 8—the first mission to orbit the Moon—and commanded the dramatic Apollo 13 mission.
Across four spaceflights—including Gemini 7, Gemini 12, and the landmark Apollo missions—Lovell set endurance records and played a crucial role in advancing space exploration. As commander of Apollo 13 in 1970, he safely guided the crew home following a life-threatening in-flight failure, a testament to his steady leadership and problem-solving. To find out more, click on the press release button.
