Chicago, IL — The world has lost one of its great explorers. Captain Jim Lovell, the legendary astronaut who helped guide humanity’s first journey to orbit the Moon, has died. He was not only a hero of space exploration, but also a cherished friend to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, where his legacy has inspired millions.
As Command Module Pilot of the historic Apollo 8 mission in 1968, Lovell played a pivotal role in carrying humanity farther from home than ever before. The spacecraft he helped fly, now displayed in the Henry Crown Space Center, remains a symbol of courage, ingenuity, and the relentless human drive to explore.
In the decades after his missions, Lovell returned to the museum often — speaking at events, sharing his stories, and connecting with visitors young and old. His warmth, humor, and humility made him more than an astronaut in the eyes of those who met him; he was a mentor, a friend, and a living reminder that impossible dreams can be achieved.
Captain Lovell’s name is etched into the annals of history, but his true legacy lives on in the imaginations of all who have looked up at the Moon and dared to dream bigger because of him.