Washington, Aug. 9 -- Famed NASA astronaut Jim Lovell, who commanded the harrowing Apollo 13 mission that was forced to abandon a lunar landing attempt in 1970, has died aged 97.

Lovell died on August 7 in Lake Forest, Illinois, according to a NASA news release.

The cause of death was not immediately clear, reports CNN.

Lovell's family requested privacy but said, "We are saddened to announce the passing of our beloved father, USN Captain James A. 'Jim' Lovell, a Navy pilot and officer, astronaut, leader, and space explorer," in a statement.

"We are enormously proud of his amazing life and career accomplishments, highlighted by his legendary leadership in pioneering human space flight," the family noted in its statement.

Before being se...