American hero and astronaut Frank Borman passed away at the age of 95. He was best known for commanding Apollo 8’s historic flight that orbited the moon 10 times, setting the stage for the lunar landing in the following year. Borman died in Billings, Montana, according to NASA.
His NASA legacy aside, Borman also served as the leader of Eastern Airlines in the 1970s and early ’80s. Alongside his fellow crew members, James Lovell and William Anders, Borman was part of the first Apollo mission to fly to the moon, providing them with the unique perspective of seeing Earth from outer space.
In a tribute to Borman, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson remarked, “Today we remember one of NASA’s best. Astronaut Frank Borman was a true American hero. His lifelong love for aviation and exploration was only surpassed by his love for his wife Susan.”
These historic moments unfolded after their launch from Florida’s Cape Canaveral on Dec. 21, 1968. The crew spent three days traveling to the moon, entering lunar orbit on Christmas Eve and circling the moon 10 times before returning home on Dec. 27. A moving Christmas Eve broadcast from the astronauts, reading from the Book of Genesis, touched the hearts of many as they gazed down on the Earth from space.
During his illustrious career, Borman also participated in the Gemini 7 mission and later shared his experiences in his autobiography, “Countdown: An Autobiography.” Reflecting on his accomplishments, Borman recounted the drive behind the decision to change the Apollo 8 mission to orbit the moon and beat the Russians in the space race.
It was during the Apollo 8 mission that Anders captured the iconic “Earthrise” photo, leaving the crew in awe of the beauty of Earth from afar. Borman encapsulated this feeling with his words, “We were the first humans to see the world in its majestic totality, an intensely emotional experience for each of us. This must be what God sees.”
