Famed NASA astronaut Jim Lovell, who commanded the harrowing Apollo 13 mission that was forced to abandon a lunar landing attempt in 1970, has died. He was 97.

American astronaut Captain Jim Lovell has died at the age of 97. He was known for leading the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission that became a story of ingenuity and survival.

Lovell commanded the mission that almost ended in disaster after an explosion that threatened the crew's oxygen and electrical supply. The inspiring story of their survival was made into a hit movie.