Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell Dies at 97

Jim Lovell, the renowned NASA astronaut best known for commanding the Apollo 13 mission and coining the phrase 'Houston, we have a problem,' has died at age 97 in Lake Forest, Illinois. His decisive leadership during the 1970 Apollo 13 crisis, triggered by an oxygen tank explosion, transformed a near-fatal disaster into a remarkable rescue and inspired the 1995 film 'Apollo 13.' Lovell flew on Gemini VII, Gemini XII, Apollo 8, and Apollo 13, playing a pivotal role in America's manned space exploration. NASA leaders, fellow astronauts, Tom Hanks, and director Ron Howard have paid tribute to his courage and legacy. Lovell was celebrated for his pioneering spirit, resilience, and advocacy for space exploration. He remains an enduring inspiration and a national hero.