Jim Lovell, the celebrated commander of the infamous Apollo 13 lunar mission, died on Thursday at age 97.

His death was announced on Friday in a statement from NASA , which celebrated his accomplishments during his time with the agency.

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Jim Lovell, Apollo 13 astronaut, whose hopes of landing on the moon went up in the air with an oxygen tank explosion, sits in a plane near the Manned Space Center at Houston, Texas, Feb. 3, 1971. (AP Photo)

“NASA sends its condolences to the family of Capt. Jim Lovell’s life and work inspired millions across the de

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