James Lovell: Introduction (01:04)

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Lovell was born in 1928 in Parma, Ohio. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy and participated in two NASA space flight projects.

Lovell's Early Years (03:07)

Lovell was born in Parma, but grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; his father died when Lovell was 12. Lovell developed an interest in rocketry, joined the ROTC at the University of Wisconsin, attended the U.S. Naval Academy, and underwent flight training. He recalls getting lost on a night mission.

Changing Career Directions (03:54)

Lovell graduated first in his class at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and tested aircraft electronic systems. He began Spec-Ops training but was rejected after a medical test; he returned to Patuxtent River to fly the F4H Phantom.

Project Gemini (04:30)

Lovell reapplied for astronaut training and became part of the second astronaut class. He was assigned to the backup crew of Gemini 4, flew Gemini 7 with Frank Borman, and flew Gemini 12 with Buzz Aldrin.

Apollo 8 (02:57)

Apollo 8 was a "shakedown cruise" for the lunar module in orbit; it was the first flight to orbit around the moon. In December 1968, Lovell, Borman, and William Anders were the first people to leave Earth's orbit.

Apollo 13 (03:05)

After the Apollo 11 mission, public excitement about space flight seemed to dissipate. During the third mission to the moon, an oxygen tank burst, knocking out virtually all life support systems in the capsule.

Apollo 13: Crisis Management (04:08)

Engineers on Earth determined maneuvers that would result in a free return course; an emergency manual burn was crucial. Lovell used a primitive citing device to readjust the spacecraft's course for a safe return to Earth.

Credits: Legends of Air Power: James Lovell (00:37)

Credits: Legends of Air Power: James Lovell