NASA has announced the death of Apollo astronaut Thomas Kenneth Mattingly II, who famously helped the crew of Apollo 13 safely return to Earth after an explosion doomed their lunar mission. Mattingly, aged 87, passed away on Tuesday, although the cause of death has not been provided.

Mattingly was born on March 17, 1936, in Chicago, and later graduated high school in Miami before earning a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Auburn University in 1958. He began his career with the US Navy and eventually joined the Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School as a student. Mattingly's journey led him to be chosen by NASA to be part of the astronaut class in 1966.

One of Mattingly's most significant roles at NASA came after being exposed to rubella prior to the launch of Apollo 13. Due to concerns about his health, he was replaced by backup command module pilot Jack Swigert. However, just 72 hours after Mattingly's removal, the mission encountered a catastrophic event when oxygen tank No. 2 exploded, causing tank No. 1 to also fail. This prompted astronaut Jim Lovell to famously inform mission control, "Houston, we've had a problem." Mattingly played a vital role in helping bring the crew back safely to Earth.

Mattingly's contributions extended beyond the Apollo missions. He served as the command module pilot for Apollo 16, a mission that successfully landed on the moon in 1972. Additionally, he held the position of spacecraft commander for two space shuttle missions, STS-4 and STS 51-C.

Mattingly's skill as a pilot and his commitment to innovation and resilience made him an esteemed figure within NASA and the nation. He was even portrayed by actor Gary Sinise in the movie "Apollo 13," which marked the 53rd anniversary of the mission. Sinise expressed his honor in playing Mattingly in a post earlier this year.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson paid tribute to Mattingly, stating that his shining personality and unparalleled skill as a pilot would ensure his remembrance throughout history. Nelson emphasized that Mattingly's contributions allowed for advancements in space exploration and our understanding of the universe's vastness. Mattingly's passion for exploration and his bravery in facing the unknown will forever be remembered as an embodiment of our country's future.