Thomas K. Mattingly: Astronaut who saved Apollo 13 crew dies aged 87

Thomas K. Mattingly, a distinguished astronaut known for his pivotal role in the Apollo 16 mission, has passed away at the age of 87, as announced by NASA on Thursday. Mattingly, often referred to as Ken or T.K., breathed his last on October 31, as confirmed by the space agency.

"NASA astronaut TK Mattingly was key to the success of our Apollo Program, and his shining personality will ensure he is remembered throughout history," remarked NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

Mattingly's expertise as the command module pilot during the Apollo 16 mission, which successfully touched down on the moon in 1972, earned him acclaim. The mission achieved all its major objectives, including the collection of samples from the lunar highlands.


However, Mattingly is equally renowned for being replaced from the ill-fated Apollo 13 crew merely 72 hours before its scheduled launch. This decision was made due to his exposure to German measles. Jack Swigert, the backup command module pilot, stepped in to take his place. The Apollo 13 mission encountered a life-threatening situation when an oxygen tank exploded almost 56 hours after liftoff, leading Lovell to famously communicate to mission control, "Houston, we've had a problem."

Mattingly played a crucial role in guiding the crew safely back to Earth. "He stayed behind and provided key real-time decisions to successfully bring home the wounded spacecraft and the crew of Apollo 13," highlighted Nelson in the statement.

Following his tenure as a command module pilot for the Apollo Program, there was a gap of almost a decade before he returned to helm missions. Mattingly assumed the role of spacecraft commander for two space shuttle missions in 1982 and 1985, accumulating 504 hours in space.