Apollo 8
Serves as command module pilot on Apollo 8.
Role range: 1968-1968
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
James A. Lovell Biography and Timeline
Follow James A. Lovell through 19 dated historical records for United States of America.
James A. Lovell, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
19Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1968–1970Years on this page
1968
Apollo 8 Midcourse Navigation
Uses Apollo navigation procedures during the translunar coast to refine the spacecraft trajectory.
Role range: 1968-1968
Apollo 8 Earthrise Observation
Observes Earth rising above the lunar horizon with the Apollo 8 crew during lunar orbit.
Role range: 1968-1968
Apollo 8 Genesis Reading
Participates in the Christmas Eve Genesis reading broadcast to Earth from lunar orbit.
Role range: 1968-1968
Apollo 8 Lunar Navigation
Conducts landmark tracking and navigation observations during Apollo 8 lunar orbit.
Role range: 1968-1968
Apollo 8 Lunar Orbit Insertion
Serves as command module pilot during the burn that places Apollo 8 into lunar orbit.
Role range: 1968-1968
Apollo 8 Trans-Earth Injection
Serves as command module pilot during the burn that sends Apollo 8 from lunar orbit toward Earth.
Role range: 1968-1968
Apollo 8 Reentry Navigation
Supports navigation and spacecraft operations during Apollo 8's return and reentry.
Role range: 1968-1968
Apollo 8 Return
Returns from Apollo 8 after ten lunar orbits.
Role range: 1968-1968
1970
Apollo 13 Launch
Commands Apollo 13 as it launches toward the Moon.
Role range: 1970-1970
Apollo 13 Translunar Injection
Commands Apollo 13 as the Saturn V sends Odyssey and Aquarius toward the Moon.
Role range: 1970-1970
Apollo 13 Crisis
Leads the crew after Apollo 13 loses an oxygen tank.
Role range: 1970-1970
Apollo 13 Lunar Module Activation
Moves into Aquarius and helps activate the lunar module as an emergency lifeboat after the oxygen tank failure.
Role range: 1970-1970
Apollo 13 Free-Return Burn
Commands a lunar module engine burn that restores Apollo 13 to a free-return trajectory around the Moon.
Role range: 1970-1970
Apollo 13 Lunar Flyby
Leads the crew as Apollo 13 swings around the Moon on its emergency return trajectory.
Role range: 1970-1970
Apollo 13 Sun Alignment
Uses the Sun to verify lunar module guidance alignment when debris makes star sightings difficult.
Role range: 1970-1970
Apollo 13 Command Module Power-Up
Helps execute newly developed procedures to power Odyssey for reentry after days of minimal electrical use.
Role range: 1970-1970
Apollo 13 Service Module Jettison
Helps separate the damaged service module, allowing the crew to inspect the explosion damage before reentry.
Role range: 1970-1970
Apollo 13 Splashdown
Returns safely with Haise and Swigert after the aborted lunar landing mission.
Role range: 1970-1970
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.