Jim Lovell died, commander Apollo 13. The story of the mission that turned into a fight for survival: “Houston, we have a problem”

The famous astronaut NASA Jim Lovell, who ordered the Apollo 13 mission, forced to abandon an aselenization attempt in 1970, died at the age of 97, CNN reports.

Lovell died on August 7 in Lake Forest, Illinois, according to the release issued by NASA.

He was the first astronaut to go to space four times and was also part of the Apollo 8 crew, the first crew launched with the Saturn V rocket and at the same time the first to orbit the Moon, according to NBC News.

In addition to Apollo 8 and Apollo 13, Jim Lovell also participated in the living Gemini and Gemini XII space missions.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Lovell family highlighted “his amazing achievements in life and career” and “his legendary leadership in the pioneering human space flights.”

“But for all of us, he was the father, grandfather and leader of our family. Most importantly, he was our hero,” the family said in the statement sent. “We will lack his unwavering optimism, the sense of humor and the way he made each of us feel that we can make the impossible. He was truly unique,” the family said.

The interim chief of the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA), Sean Duffy, sent a message of condolences on behalf of the institution.

“NASA sends condolences to Captain Jim Lovell's family, whose life and work have inspired millions of people over the decades. Jim's character and unwavering courage helped our nation reach the Moon and transformed a potential tragedy into a success from which we learned enormously.

Jim Lovell was the commander of the Apollo 13 mission

The Apollo 13 crew, consisting of Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert, is on the way to the Moon in April 1970, when an oxygen tank of the spacecraft exploded at 320,000 kilometers of Earth, according to The Guardian.

With four fifths of the route, NASA canceled the mission, and the only crew's goal became the survival.

“It was the most frightening moment,” Lovell's story.

The plan involved moving the astronauts from the service module, which lost oxygen, in the module crammed, dark and cold, while rationalizing their oxygen, water and electricity, which diminished. Using the monthly module as a rescue boat, they surrounded the moon and rushed to the ground, becoming national heroes.

The mission was the subject of a popular film from 1995, which carried the notoriety of the three astronauts on new peaks – in part due to the cinematic character who reported the famous phrase “Houston, we have a problem” (“Houston, we have a problem”). In reality, Lovell had said “Houston, We`ve Had a problem” (“Houston, I had a problem”).

In an interview for Associated Press in 1995, Lovell acknowledged that he missed the opportunity to walk on the Moon remained his only regret.