Apollo astronaut Ken Mattingly, key figure in Apollo 13 mission, passes away at 87

Ken Mattingly, the astronaut known for his crucial role in helping the Apollo 13 crew return safely to Earth, has passed away at the age of 87. Mattingly, a former Navy pilot, joined NASA in 1966 and contributed to the development of spacesuits and backpacks for the Apollo moon missions. Although he did not fly on the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission due to exposure to German measles, Mattingly played a vital role in analyzing the situation and providing real-time decisions to save the crew. He later commanded two space shuttle missions and retired as a rear admiral. Mattingly's legacy will be remembered in the history of space exploration.