Ken Mattingly, Who Helped Save Apollo 13 Crew, Dies At 87

ARLINGTON, VA — Ken Mattingly, the former astronaut best known for helping save the crew of Apollo 13 in the 1970s — a near-catastrophic mission later recounted in the Hollywood film "Apollo 13," in which Mattingly was played by Gary Sinise — has died, officials at NASA announced Thursday. He was 87.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement that retired Rear Admiral Thomas K. Mattingly II was a hero.

"We lost one of our country’s heroes on Oct. 31," Nelson said. "NASA astronaut TK Mattingly was key to the success of our Apollo Program, and his shining personality will ensure he is remembered throughout history."

Mattingly was born in Chicago, grew up in the Miami area and died at his home in Arlington, Virginia, according to The New York Times.

He began his career with the U.S. Navy, received his wings in 1960 and flew various aircraft across multiple assignments, Nelson said. After joining the Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School as a student, NASA selected him for its astronaut class in 1966. Before flying in space, he helped the Apollo Program, supporting astronauts and leading the development of the Apollo spacesuit and backpack.

"His unparalleled skill as a pilot aided us when he took on the role of command module pilot for Apollo 16 and spacecraft commander for space shuttle missions STS-4 and STS 51-C," Nelson said. "The commitment to innovation and resilience toward opposition made TK an excellent figure to embody our mission and our nation’s admiration."

But perhaps Mattingly's greatest accomplishment in life was helping to save the Apollo 13 crew, a feat recounted in the 1995 Hollywood film “Apollo 13,” in which Mattingly was played by actor Gary Sinise.

NASA removed Mattingly from the flight crew days before the near-catastrophic launch after it was discovered he was exposed to German measles, and was the only crewman who didn't have antibodies against the illness.

"Perhaps his most dramatic role at NASA was after exposure to rubella just before the launch of Apollo 13," Nelson recalled. "He stayed behind and provided key real-time decisions to successfully bring home the wounded spacecraft and the crew of Apollo 13 – NASA astronauts James Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise.

“TK’s contributions have allowed for advancements in our learning beyond that of space. 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 viewed the universe’s vastness as an unending forum of possibilities. As a leader in exploratory missions, TK will be remembered for braving the unknown for the sake of our country’s future.”