Colonel Frank Borman, the esteemed astronaut and commander of the historic Apollo 8 mission, passed away in Billings, Montana at the age of ...
Colonel Frank Borman, the esteemed astronaut and commander of the historic Apollo 8 mission, passed away in Billings, Montana at the age of 95, as announced by NASA. In a tribute, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson acknowledged Borman as a true American hero, emphasizing his role as the commander of Apollo 8, the mission that marked the first orbit around the moon.
Borman, alongside crewmates Jim Lovell and William Anders, achieved a significant milestone during the Apollo 8 mission in 1968 by becoming the first humans to orbit the moon. They captured the iconic "Earthrise" photograph, depicting Earth rising above the lunar surface. This image has become ingrained in public memory as a symbol of space exploration.
On Christmas Eve of that year, Borman communicated live from the moon, activating a handheld TV camera to share the awe-inspiring view with Earth. The crew recited lines from the Book of Genesis, adding a poignant and spiritual touch to their groundbreaking journey.
Reflecting on the experience later, Borman described the emotional impact of witnessing Earth from space, noting its loneliness in the vast universe. His career at NASA began in 1962 when he joined the second astronaut class, and before Apollo 8, he served on Gemini 7, where he achieved the first close rendezvous in space.
Borman's contributions extended beyond space exploration. In 1967, he played a pivotal role on the Apollo 204 review board, investigating the tragic fire on Apollo 1 that claimed the lives of three astronauts. Subsequently, he led the team responsible for reengineering the Apollo spacecraft.
Following his NASA career, Borman continued his work in aviation, serving as the CEO of Eastern Airlines. His passing comes shortly after the death of another Apollo astronaut, Thomas K. Mattingly II, who died on October 31 at the age of 87. The legacies of these pioneers continue to inspire future generations of space enthusiasts and explorers.