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Hanks praised Lovell’s dedication to exploration, noting that his missions were not motivated by fame or fortune but by \"the challenges that fuel the course of being alive.\"

The actor closed his tribute with a nod to the timing of Lovell’s passing: \"On this night of a full moon, he passes on -- to the heavens, to the cosmos, to the stars. God speed you, on this next voyage, Jim Lovell.\"

\"PHOTO:
Chris Pizzello/AP, FILE
PHOTO: In this April 29, 2000, file phtoo, Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell, right, greets actor Tom Hanks at the 30th anniversary celebration of the Apollo 13 mission, at the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica, Calif.
>

Howard also praised the late astronaut, saying \"simply knowing\" the astronaut was an honor.

Sharing archival images and side-by-side comparisons from the film, the filmmaker called Lovell \"one of the most remarkable individuals I’ve ever met.\"

\"His combination of intellect, courage and commitment to duty made him extraordinary,\" Howard wrote. \"His support of our movie-making efforts inspired authenticity and elevated our process in so many ways. Thank you, sir, for your service to our country and to humankind.\"

Lovell's career spanned decades of groundbreaking achievements in space exploration, including flights on Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8 -- the first mission to orbit the moon --and Apollo 13.

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