NASA revealed the passing of Colonel (ret.) Frank Borman, a distinguished astronaut whose contributions to space exploration were marked by commanding two significant early NASA missions, including the historic Apollo 8, the first mission to orbit the moon.
Frank Borman passed away on November 7 in Billings, Montana, at the age of 95, following a stroke. His death closely follows that of another Apollo astronaut, Ken Mattingly.
American astronaut Colonel Frank Borman, Commander of the Apollo 8 mission, leaves 10 Downing Street in London with his wife Susan after a visit to Prime Minister Harold Wilson, 4th February 1969. He is on a nineteen-day goodwill tour of Europe.Ted West/Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The Life of Borman
Frank Borman is a retired United States Air Force pilot, astronaut, and businessman. He was born on March 14, 1928, in Gary, Indiana, USA. Borman is best known as the commander of the Apollo 8 mission, the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon.
Before his spaceflight career, Borman had a distinguished military career as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. He later became an astronaut with NASA and flew into space twice. In addition to Apollo 8, he commanded the Apollo 8's backup crew and was slated to command the canceled Apollo 18 mission.
After leaving NASA in 1970, Borman pursued a business career and held executive positions in the aviation industry. He also served as the CEO of Eastern Air Lines. Frank Borman has become an iconic figure in space exploration, particularly for his role in the historic Apollo 8 mission.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed condolences, acknowledging Borman as one of NASA's finest and a genuine American hero.
"His lifelong love for aviation and exploration was only surpassed by his love for his wife Susan," said Nelson.
Borman's journey commenced as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, where his affinity for flying became a cornerstone for his roles as a fighter pilot, operational pilot, test pilot, and assistant professor. His wealth of experience and expertise led him to be selected by NASA as part of the second group of astronauts.
A pivotal chapter in Borman's space odyssey was his command of the Apollo 8 mission in 1968. Borman was also a veteran of Gemini 7, wherein he spent 14 days in low-Earth orbit and participated in the first-ever rendezvous in space, bringing his spacecraft within a few feet of the Gemini 6.
"Frank knew the power exploration held in uniting humanity when he said, 'Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit.' His service to NASA and our nation will undoubtedly fuel the Artemis Generation to reach new cosmic shores," Nelson said in a statement.
Apollo 8 was the first crewed mission in NASA's Apollo program and the second crewed spaceflight mission in the history of the United States. Launched on December 21, 1968, it was a historic mission that orbited the Moon, making it the first time humans traveled to another celestial body.
