Frank Borman, the NASA astronaut who led the first crewed mission to orbit the moon, has passed away at 95. Initially recognized for commanding the historic Apollo 8 mission, Borman’s legacy includes his tenure as the chief executive of Eastern Air Lines, leading it through significant turbulence until its eventual collapse.
Borman became an astronaut after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy and becoming an Air Force test pilot. He later became one of the nine men selected for NASA’s second astronaut corps and commanded two missions that were crucial for the 1969 moon landing. Notably, he and astronaut James A. Lovell Jr. set a record during the Gemini 7 flight, spending two weeks orbiting the Earth in a significantly cramped space capsule.
Later, on Apollo 8, Borman and his crew, including Lovell and William Anders, became the first humans to break away from Earth’s gravitational field and orbit the moon. It was during this time that Anders captured the iconic “Earthrise” photograph, showing Earth’s dawn above the lunar horizon.
After his accomplished career as an astronaut, Borman was appointed deputy director of flight crew operations within NASA. His journey culminated as the CEO of Eastern Air Lines where, despite his diligent efforts to revive the company’s fortunes, external challenges eventually led to its collapse in 1991.
Remembered for his unyielding commitment and loyalty to his mission, Borman’s legacy extends even beyond his groundbreaking space exploits to his tireless dedication as an airline executive. He was indeed a man of remarkable accomplishments who faced life’s challenges from the cockpit to the edge of the universe.
