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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 joined NASA in 1962 as part of its second group of astronauts.

Lovell’s first space flight was Gemini 7.

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.

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'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.

Lovell has logged more than 7,000 hours in a variety of aircraft, including 3,500 hours in high-performance jets.

Official NASA Astronaut portrait of James A. Lovell — S69-62241 (1969) — Astronaut James A. Lovell.
NASA

Apollo 13 Astronauts safely on the deck of an US Navy ship after returning from their Apollo 13 mission. — 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.

Apollo 8 Crew Training — (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

Lovell selfie with Aldrin - November 11, 1966 — 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.

NASA Astronaut Jim Lovell during training in his EVA suit, January 1970

Astronaut Jim Lovell during training in his EVA suit

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James Lovell

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