Frank Borman

Frank Borman

Name	Frank Borman
Birth name
Birth date	Birth date -1st March 1966
Birth place	Gary, Indiana, U.S.
Death date
Death place
Alma mater
Occupation	Astronaut, Engineer, Business Executive
Years active
Organization
Known for	Commander of Apollo 8
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

Frank Frederick Borman II (born March 14, 1928) is a retired United States Air Force colonel, aeronautical engineer, test pilot, and NASA astronaut. He is best known as the commander of Apollo 8, the first mission to fly around the Moon, which marked a significant milestone in the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Early Life and Education

Frank Borman was born in Gary, Indiana, and raised in Tucson, Arizona. He developed an early interest in aviation, which led him to pursue a career in the field. Borman graduated from West Point in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He later earned a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology in 1957.

Military Career

Borman joined the United States Air Force and became a fighter pilot. He served as an operational pilot and later as an instructor at the Air Force's Fighter Weapons School. His expertise in aeronautics and his leadership skills were recognized early in his career, leading to his selection as a test pilot.

NASA Career

In 1962, Borman was selected by NASA as part of the second group of astronauts, known as the "New Nine." His first spaceflight was as the command pilot of Gemini 7 in December 1965, where he and astronaut Jim Lovell spent 14 days in space, setting a record for the longest manned spaceflight at the time.

Apollo 8

Borman's most notable mission was as the commander of Apollo 8, the first manned spacecraft to leave Earth orbit, reach the Moon, orbit it, and return safely to Earth. The mission launched on December 21, 1968, and was a critical step in the United States' efforts to land a man on the Moon before the end of the decade. Borman, along with crew members James Lovell and William Anders, orbited the Moon ten times and returned to Earth on December 27, 1968.

Post-NASA Career

After retiring from NASA and the Air Force in 1970, Borman became an executive at Eastern Air Lines, eventually serving as its CEO. He played a significant role in the airline industry during a period of deregulation and economic challenges.

Legacy

Frank Borman's contributions to space exploration and his leadership during the Apollo 8 mission have been widely recognized. He received numerous awards, including the Congressional Space Medal of Honor and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal.

Also see

• Apollo program
• Gemini program
• NASA Astronaut Group 2
• Space Race