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Top 15 Astronaut Jim Lovell Quotes (APOLLO 13)

In the infinite canvas of space exploration and human achievement, few names echo as profoundly as Jim Lovell. Known for his incredible journey as an astronaut, most notably as the commander of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission, Lovell’s legacy continues to inspire generations of explorers and dreamers.

These quotes are not just chronicles of a near-disastrous space mission; they are nuggets of wisdom from a man who dared to journey to the moon, forever changing our understanding of courage, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit. They provide insights into bravery in the face of adversity, the importance of teamwork, and the guiding principles that shaped Lovell’s remarkable career.

Whether you’re a space enthusiast, an aspiring astronaut, or simply someone captivated by tales of human tenacity, these quotes will challenge your thinking, deepen your understanding, and inspire you to overcome your challenges.

Top 15 Most Famous Jim Lovell Quotes to Inspire You to Make Things Happen

“There are people who make things happen, there are people who watch things happen, and there are people who wonder what happened. To be successful, you need to be a person who makes things happen.”

Jim Lovell
From now on we live in a world where man has walked on the Moon. It's not a miracle; we just decided to go.Pin
From now on we live in a world where man has walked on the Moon. It’s not a miracle; we just decided to go.
Be thankful for problems. If they were less difficult, someone with less ability might have your job.Pin
Be thankful for problems. If they were less difficult, someone with less ability might have your job.
The moon is essentially gray, no color. It looks like plaster of Paris, like dirty beach sand with lots of footprints in it.Pin
The moon is essentially gray, no color. It looks like plaster of Paris, like dirty beach sand with lots of footprints in it.
We do not realize what we have on Earth until we leave it.Pin
We do not realize what we have on Earth until we leave it.
The vast loneliness is awe-inspiring and it makes you realize just what you have back there on Earth.Pin
The vast loneliness is awe-inspiring and it makes you realize just what you have back there on Earth.

“You arrive on a planet [Earth] that has the proper mass, has the gravity to contain water, and an atmosphere, which are the very essentials for life. And you arrive on this planet [Moon] that’s orbiting a star just at the right distance — not too far to be too cold, or too close to be too hot — and just at the right distance to absorb that star’s energy and then, with that energy, cause life to evolve here [Earth] in the first place.”

Jim Lovell
You never know what events are going to transpire to get you home.Pin
You never know what events are going to transpire to get you home.
I could put my thumb up to a window and completely hide the Earth. I thought, 'Everything I've ever known is behind my thumb.'Pin
I could put my thumb up to a window and completely hide the Earth. I thought, ‘Everything I’ve ever known is behind my thumb.’
Boys like either dinosaurs or airplanes. I was very much an airplane boy.Pin
Boys like either dinosaurs or airplanes. I was very much an airplane boy.

“You have to remember we brought back a picture of the Earth as it is 240,000 miles away. And the fact is, it gives you a different perspective of the Earth when you see it as three-dimensional between the sun and the moon, and you begin to realize how small and how significant the body is.”

Jim Lovell
I would suspect strongly that over a period of time, if we put our mind to going to Mars, it will be a consortium of several countries.Pin
I would suspect strongly that over a period of time if we put our mind to going to Mars, it will be a consortium of several countries.
The fascination to go into space has existed for hundreds of years. But as we do things and they're successful, people get bored.Pin
The fascination to go into space has existed for hundreds of years. But as we do things and they’re successful, people get bored.
You need to be a person who makes things happen.Pin
You need to be a person who makes things happen.

“When I circled the moon and looked back at Earth, my outlook on life and my viewpoint of Earth changed… Earth is a spaceship, just like Apollo – and just like Apollo, the crew must learn to live and work together. We must learn to manage the resources of this world with new imagination.”

Jim Lovell
YouTube video

Jim Lovell Short Biography

Born on March 25, 1928, in Cleveland, Ohio, the United States, James Arthur Lovell, Jr. who is more commonly known by his nickname “Jim”, is an American astronaut and the commander of the famous Apollo 13 flight.

James Lovell graduated in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in science from the U.S. Naval Academy.

After he had graduated from the Navy’s test pilot school, his next few years were spent as a test pilot, testing fighter aircraft and other jets. 

He was initially chosen as one of the candidates for Project Mercury but was dismissed due to complications with his blood.

In 1962 NASA had started recruiting astronauts for the Gemini and Apollo programs, Lovell was among those who were recruited.

On 13 April 1970, James Lovell and his team were charted towards the moon, but due to a shortage of power and oxygen, the mission was abandoned, forcing their shuttle to orbit once around the moon and return to earth. This nearly disastrous event coined the popular phrase “Houston, we have a problem.” (source) He documents his accounts in the non-fiction tell-all entitled ‘Lost Moon.’

By this time Lovell had already achieved more than 715 hours in space.

He became deputy director of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas by 1971. And in 1973 he retired from the navy and the space program. He opened a restaurant in Lake Forest years later. 

Further reading:

Here are the best James Lovell quotes so you can turn your failures and setbacks into impeccable success.

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Apollo 13Pin
Apollo 13

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Astronaut Jim Lovell Quotes (APOLLO 13) - Gracious QuotesPin
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