VOL 26 ISSUE 34, Aug. 25, 2025
Main caption: A ceremony was held Aug. 19 at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida honoring the life and legacy of Captain James Lovell, a veteran NASA astronaut and Naval aviator who recently passed away at age 97. The ceremony included meaningful remarks from visitor complex and NASA representatives, including (from left to right) Howard Schwartz, vice president of guest relations and operations for the visitor complex; Winston Scott, veteran NASA astronaut and director of operational excellence for the visitor complex; Kelvin Manning, deputy director of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center; and Bob Cabana, veteran NASA astronaut and former director of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, which Delaware North operates for NASA in Florida, on Aug. 19 held a ceremony to honor veteran NASA astronaut and Naval aviator Captain James A. Lovell, who died Aug. 7 at age 97.
Lovell in 1968 became one of the first three astronauts to fly to and orbit the Moon. He later commanded the Apollo 13 mission in 1970, which after a critical in-flight failure, looped around the Moon and returned safely to Earth as the nation waited on edge. Lovell was famously portrayed by Tom Hanks in the 1995 movie “Apollo 13.”
Captain James Lovell played an integral role in space exploration during his career with NASA, which began in 1962. He was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 1993 (top right). A ceremony highlighting his illustrious career was held Aug. 19 in front of the Heroes and Legends building at the visitor complex, which features the U.S Astronaut Hall of Fame, following his passing in early August.
Held outside Heroes and Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame®, the ceremony included remarks by Howard Schwartz, vice president of guest relations and operations for the visitor complex; Winston Scott, veteran NASA astronaut and director of operational excellence for the visitor complex; Kelvin Manning, deputy director of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center; and Bob Cabana, veteran NASA astronaut and former director of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
“We are saddened by the passing of Captain Jim Lovell, whose leadership and courage helped define America’s space program, from Gemini 7 to Apollo 13,” Schwartz said. “He inspired the world with his calm determination in the face of challenge. The missions he helped make possible and the countless visitors who have been inspired by his story ensure that his legacy will endure.”