Remembering the Legacy of Astronaut Frank Borman

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of a distinguished individual, astronaut Frank Borman, at the age of 95. Borman was a key figure in NASA's early space exploration programs, including commanding the trailblazing Apollo 8 mission. His departure occurred on Tuesday 7 November in Billings, Montana, according to a statement by NASA. Bill Nelson, the administrator of NASA, paid heartfelt tribute to "one of the most admired figures within the agency." He described Borman as a "true American hero" whose passion for aviation and exploration was only surpassed by his immense love for his late wife, Susan. Borman and Susan, who were childhood sweethearts, shared an extraordinary bond until Susan's passing in 2021. On 21 December 1968, Borman, alongside his fellow crew members James Lovell and William Anders, embarked on the Apollo 8 mission, which launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. After a three-day journey, they reached the moon and entered lunar orbit on Christmas Eve. During their historic voyage, they circled the moon an astounding 10 times before commencing their return to Earth on 27 December. One poignant moment from their expedition was when the astronauts conducted a live telecast from the spacecraft, reading from the Book of Genesis in the Bible. Their words resonated with the world as Borman closed the broadcast by expressing, "And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas, and God bless all of you - all of you on the good Earth." In his autobiography, Countdown: An Autobiography, Borman eloquently described the profound impact of seeing Earth from the vantage point of space. He shared that the experience was intensely emotional and evoked a sense of unity as they gazed at their families residing on the spinning globe. Borman poignantly mused, "This must be what God sees." Following his time at NASA, Borman transitioned to the aviation industry, joining Eastern Airlines, a prominent carrier in the United States during that era. His remarkable contributions to both space exploration and the aviation field will forever be remembered by those he inspired.