NASA reported on Thursday that Thomas K. Mattingly passed away at the age of 87.
Mattingly played a vital role as the command module pilot during the Apollo 16 mission to the moon and had a significant impact on the Apollo 13 mission. However, he was removed from the Apollo 13 crew due to exposure to German measles, averting a potential catastrophe, as noted by CBS News.
NASA expressed its condolences, describing Mattingly as a key contributor to the success of the Apollo Program and acknowledging his enduring legacy.