Apollo astronaut Thomas Kenneth Mattingly II, renowned for his pivotal role in safely returning the crew of Apollo 13 to Earth following a critical explosion that jeopardized their lunar mission, has died at the age of 87, as confirmed by NASA.
In a statement, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed the significance of Mattingly's contributions, stating, "Mattingly was key to the success of our Apollo Program, and his shining personality will ensure he is remembered throughout history. He was truly one of our country's heroes."
Mattingly passed away on October 31, although no specific cause of death was provided, according to the official statement. Born in Chicago on March 17, 1936, Mattingly later graduated from high school in Miami and obtained a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Auburn University in 1958, as detailed in his NASA biography.
Having commenced his career in the US Navy, Mattingly, also known as Ken and TK, subsequently joined the Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School as a student before being selected by NASA as part of the astronaut class in 1966, as stated in the official release.
Nelson highlighted Mattingly's remarkable role during the Apollo 13 mission, where he played a critical part in the safe return of the damaged spacecraft and its crew—NASA astronauts James Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise—following Mattingly's exposure to rubella before the launch. Actor Gary Sinise portrayed Mattingly in the movie "Apollo 13."
In a tribute earlier this year on X, Sinise expressed his "honour" in portraying Mattingly, commemorating the 53rd anniversary of the Apollo 13 mission.
Nelson further emphasized Mattingly's exceptional piloting skills, noting his role as a command module pilot for Apollo 16 and as spacecraft commander for space shuttle missions STS-4 and STS 51-C. "TK's commitment to innovation and resilience in the face of adversity made him an exceptional representative of our mission and garnered the admiration of our nation," Nelson stated.
Mattingly's contributions extended beyond space exploration, enabling advancements in our understanding of the universe, Nelson continued.
He described his experience in orbit by saying, 'I had this very palpable fear that if I saw too much, I couldn't remember. It was just so impressive.' He saw the vastness of the universe as an endless realm of possibilities. As a leader in exploratory missions, TK will be remembered for his courage in venturing into the unknown for the betterment of our country's future.
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