Astronaut Jim Lovell has died. He was commander of the Apollo 13 mission, which almost ended in disaster

(dpa) Former American astronaut Jim Lovell, commander of the dramatic Apollo 13 mission, has died. According to the American space agency NASA, Lovell died on Thursday at the age of 97 in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Lovell was the crew commander of the Apollo 13 flight, which nearly ended in disaster in 1970 after a technical failure, but the crew's calm actions ensured a safe escape. He was played by superstar Tom Hanks in the film adaptation of the space drama.

Acting NASA Director Sean Duffy said: "NASA sends its condolences to the family of Captain Jim Lovell, whose life and work have inspired millions for decades." Lovell's character and "unwavering courage" helped reach the moon and turned an impending disaster into a success "from which we have learned enormously."

Lovell was also part of the first lunar orbit with Apollo 8 in 1968. There, "Jim, along with his crew members, became the first humans to take off on a Saturn V rocket and orbit the moon," the statement said.

Lovell also served in the U.S. Navy, where he was valued as a test pilot. He was known among his colleagues for his sense of humor. "Jim Lovell embodied the determination and optimism of past and future explorers," Duffy explained. "We will always remember him."