posted 08-09-2025 09:16 AM               

Grieving the loss of one of my best friends, Jim Lovell. His extraordinary legacy is cemented by many space missions: Gemini VII, Gemini XII, Apollo 8 and Apollo 13.

Our mutual respect had no limits. The Gemini XII mission we flew together paved the way for the Apollo missions.

Heartfelt condolences to Jim's family.

Farewell Jim. You will be missed, my friend. Godspeed!

posted 08-09-2025 02:48 PM               

It was 1995, and his and my book about his Apollo 13 mission had just been made into a movie starring Tom Hanks and directed by Ron Howard. It was a gobsmacking experience for me. I had spent my career quietly toiling as a science journalist, enjoying some recognition for my work, but nothing remotely like fame. Lovell, on the other hand, knew a thing or two about being celebrated, being feted, being recognized in restaurants and sought out for interviews. And he knew, too, that fame was ephemeral — that the public's attention could be a fickle and flickering thing. You are hailed after your splashdown; you are forgotten the next year. And so Lovell tried to offer me the benefit of his experience, decades after he had retired from the glittery astronaut corps.

"Remember where you're standing when the spotlight goes off," he told me on the phone one day, "because no one's going to help you off the stage."

It was wise; it was wonderful; and I held that counsel close...

posted 08-10-2025 02:37 PM               

Until the end, he was a gracious participant to astronautical commemoration events, where we space fans have engaged in many conversation with him through the years...

Godspeed, Capt. Jim Lovell 🙏

posted 08-10-2025 04:11 PM            

Before his death, Capt. Lovell was the oldest living American astronaut, a distinction that now falls to Lovell's Gemini 12 crewmate, Buzz Aldrin who is 95. Gemini 12 was also the last of NASA's Gemini crews to both be living.

posted 08-12-2025 09:17 AM               

97 years! That's one hell of a run. What's even more amazing than that, is that run took this amazing pilot, scientist, and astronaut, off the planet four separate occasions on four of the most incredible missions in the history of mankind.

My journey to meet Captain Jim Lovell was quite spiritual and effortless and very organic and I feel so very fortunate to have known him.

In the fall of 2018, I was able to conceive and vision the monument to the Apollo 11 crew, as I'm very good friends with Buzz Aldrin, and spending time with him for 20 years, gave me this incredible access to one of America's greatest citizens and explorers and being around him, allowed me to visit this incredible monument, get it funded, and get it built at the Kennedy Space Center.

When we had the unveiling at the Kennedy space Center with 1000 people for the 50th anniversary dinner, it was also very surreal, to be able to build the monument of the greatest story in the history of the world. I wasn't quite sure where to go after that. It then became quite apparent. Apollo 13.

Apollo 13 is much bigger in brand and story recognition then Apollo 11 because of the Ron Howard movie so it occurred to me that it could be fairly easy to raise the money, and build that monument as well, and I was absolutely correct.

I was very fortunate that I knew a young woman named Linda Debell out of Chicago that had worked with Captain Lovell and she set up an interview for me to meet him and I got his blessing to build the Apollo 13 monument.

In 2020 I began looking for the $750,000 needed to build the Apollo 13 monument at Space Center Houston and I literally was able to get the Apollo 13 monument funded in one week and that was the same week that Covid hit and the world shut down. I thought I was going to lose the monument, like Commander Lovell lost the moon.

Good fortune was upon me, however, and the money was in the bank and I was able to build the monument all the way through Covid, and we had an unveiling with Jim and Freddo with 100 people at Space Center Houston.

Spending time with Jim was absolutely lovely. He just loved talking about all four of his missions. He just couldn't talk about it enough. He loved telling people about the adventures that he had and he was so gracious when it came to storytelling.

I've met many the moon voyagers and Jim is absolutely my favorite for many reasons but more than anything his kindness and his sensibility is really beyond all of the other astronauts combined. He is just a really really lovely man.

Some people have really good hearts and really good souls and Jim Lovell had both.

The commander Apollo 13 has left the planet for the fifth and last time and there's no doubt in my mind that he is standing on the moon as we speak, looking at all of us with a big smile on his face.

Godspeed Commander Lovell, the world was a better place with you on it and with you off of it.

posted 08-13-2025 11:12 AM               

Cosmosphere Honors the Legacy of Captain Jim Lovell

Special Display Featuring Apollo 13 Command Module and Personal Artifacts Now Open

In the wake of the passing of Captain Jim Lovell, the Cosmosphere is uniquely positioned to honor the memory of the legendary astronaut by sharing with guests some of the most significant artifacts from his storied career.

"The Cosmosphere was saddened to learn of Captain Lovell's passing. He was an icon and true American hero. The Cosmosphere is proud to carry on his legacy through the display of several artifacts associated with the missions including the Apollo 13 Command Module, Odyssey," said Jim Remar, President and CEO at the Cosmosphere.

Along with the Apollo 13 Command Module, Odyssey, is Captain Lovell's spacesuit, both central pieces in telling the story of his courage and leadership during one of NASA's most challenging missions.

In addition to these historic artifacts, a memorial book has been placed in the museum by the display for guests to share personal reflections, memories, and messages of respect for Captain Lovell's enduring legacy.

The Cosmosphere invites all visitors to experience this tribute, reflect on Captain Lovell's extraordinary contributions to space exploration, and be inspired by the perseverance, teamwork, and ingenuity that defined his career.

posted 08-18-2025 03:16 PM               

The entire NASA community mourns the loss of James "Jim" Lovell, a great space pioneer who ventured into the unknown as one of the first astronauts to launch to the Moon. We will honor him during a special remembrance ceremony on August 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM outside Heroes and Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame®.

posted 08-19-2025 11:45 AM               

Tribute to Jim Lovell's NASA Legacy Held at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

A ceremony was held this morning at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to honor veteran NASA astronaut and Naval aviator Captain James A. Lovell who, in 1968, became one of the first three astronauts to fly to and orbit the Moon. He later commanded the Apollo 13 mission in 1970, which, after a critical in-flight failure, looped around the Moon and returned safely to Earth as the nation waited on edge. Lovell passed away on August 7, 2025 at age 97.

Held outside Heroes and Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame®, the ceremony included remarks by Howard Schwartz, vice president guest relations and operations, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex; Kelvin Manning, deputy director NASA's Kennedy Space Center; Bob Cabana, veteran NASA astronaut and Winston Scott, veteran NASA astronaut.

"We are saddened by the passing of Captain Jim Lovell, whose leadership and courage helped define America's space program. From Gemini 7 to Apollo 13, he inspired the world with his calm determination in the face of challenge," said Schwartz. "The missions he helped make possible and the countless visitors who have been inspired by his story ensure that his legacy will endure."

The ceremony highlighted Lovell's illustrious career as an astronaut pioneer as well as a national hero. Born in Cleveland, Ohio on March 25, 1928, Lovell was one of 50 members of his graduating class from the U.S. Naval Academy selected for naval aviation training.

In September 1962, Lovell was selected to be an astronaut by NASA and throughout his storied career played an integral role in multiple space missions, including Gemini 7 and Gemini 12. In 1968, Lovell became one of the first humans to leave the Earth's gravitational influence on Apollo 8. He also commanded Apollo 13 in 1970, famously working with his crew to safely return to Earth following a critical oxygen tank failure.

Lovell was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in 1993.

Visitors to the Apollo/Saturn V Center at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex can experience Captain Lovell's voice over in the firing room and interact with his holotube stories.

posted 08-19-2025 04:28 PM               

Creating a Lasting Legacy for Captain James 'Jim' Lovell

The world lost a true gentleman and hero on August 7, 2025. Captain James "Jim" Lovell became known as a pioneering space explorer and knew the importance of STEM education and academic scholarships. He personally received scholarships that enabled him to pursue his career as a Navy pilot and subsequently, a NASA astronaut.

Serving as ASF Chairman from 1997- 2004, he was a fierce advocate of the Foundation's mission. He continued his support of ASF serving as a Chairman Emeritus, selflessly giving of his time and talents. He stood steadfast in his belief that the Astronaut Scholarship is transformative for the recipients and for the future of our nation and even our world.

Last year, Captain Lovell and his family created The James A. Lovell Family Fund gifting $80,000 to ASF; this fund supports the new Astronaut Scholarship at Rice University.

In memory and honor of Captain Jim Lovell, we hope to create an endowed scholarship at Rice University ($300,000) in his name. All gifts made in memory or honor of Captain Lovell through December 31, 2025, will be designated to this university fund.

Our dad would be honored to have an endowed Astronaut Scholarship in his name. He believed in the ASF mission and the exceptional students selected each year. He did everything he could to support the Foundation and the students. This effort is part of celebrating his life and his legacy.

- Captain James A. Lovell's Children

An anonymous ASF supporter is hoping to inspire people to make a memorial gift by offering a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $25,000, for all donations received in honor of Captain James A. Lovell.

As of today, we have achieved one third of our $300,000 goal! We ask you to join us in building a lasting legacy for Captain James A. Lovell through your donations to this campaign.