The Departure of the NASA Legend.. Jim Lovell, Commander of "Apollo 13" Who Saved His Crew from Death in Space

Jim Lovell, the commander of the famous American "Apollo 13" mission and one of the most prominent astronauts in history, passed away at the age of 97, according to NASA. The agency's statement, reported by "AFP", indicated that Lovell died on Thursday in Illinois, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that inspired millions around the world.

NASA described the late Lovell as "an extraordinary individual with unwavering courage", affirming that "his life and work inspired millions of people over the decades". Although Lovell participated in two lunar missions without stepping on its surface, he entered history through the "Apollo 13" mission, which turned from a routine flight into one of the most thrilling survival stories of the space age.

The mission launched on April 11, 1970, led by Lovell and with astronauts Fred Haise and Jack Swigert, less than a year after Neil Armstrong landed on the moon. However, the flight turned into a nightmare after an oxygen tank exploded, prompting Lovell to send the famous message: "Houston, we have a problem" ("Houston, we have a problem").

At that moment, the United States found itself on the brink of an unprecedented tragedy, as the three astronauts faced the danger of death in space. But thanks to Lovell's composure, the expertise of the NASA team, and transforming the lunar module into a "lifeboat", the crew managed to return to Earth safely, in a rescue operation that astonished the world.

It is worth noting that Jim Lovell, a former pilot in the U.S. Navy, became an icon in the history of space exploration, as his story represented a triumph of human will in the face of the impossible.