Frank Borman, a distinguished astronaut known for his role in the Apollo 8 mission, has died at the age of 95, as announced by NASA. Borman passed away in Billings, Montana. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson praised Borman as “one of NASA’s best” and “a true American hero,” highlighting his lifelong passion for aviation and exploration.
Apollo 8, launched in 1968, was a groundbreaking mission for NASA, being the first to leave low Earth orbit and reach the moon. Borman, alongside astronauts James Lovell and William Anders, orbited the moon ten times, becoming the first humans to witness the far side of the moon. The mission also led to the capture of the famous “Earthrise” photograph by Anders, showing Earth rising above the moon’s horizon.
Borman’s journey began in Gary, Indiana, and he was raised in Tucson, Arizona. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Military Academy in 1950 and started his career in the Air Force. His extensive experience as a fighter pilot, operational pilot, test pilot, and assistant professor was instrumental in his selection as a NASA astronaut.
Before the Apollo program, Borman was part of the Gemini 7 flight in 1965, where he and Lovell orbited Earth 206 times over nearly 14 days. This mission was part of NASA’s first rendezvous in space.
After retiring from the Air Force in 1970, Borman joined Eastern Airlines, eventually becoming its CEO. He also served on the boards of several companies and was CEO of Patlex Corporation from 1988 to 1996. Borman received numerous awards throughout his career and was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 1993. A section of Interstate 94 in Indiana was named the Frank Borman Expressway in his honor.
Borman’s passing marks the end of an era in space exploration, commemorating a life dedicated to advancing human knowledge and understanding of the cosmos.