It is with deep sadness that we learn of the passing of Frank Borman, one of the pioneers of astronautics. Frank Borman passed away on November 7, 2023 at the age of 95. His passing leaves behind an exceptional legacy that has marked the history of space exploration and continues to inspire future generations.
Born on March 14, 1928, in Gary, Indiana, Frank Borman joined NASA in 1962 as an astronaut. He participated in two of the most iconic space missions in history: Apollo 8 and Gemini 7.
Frank Borman played a pivotal role in the Gemini 7 mission in 1965. This nearly 14-day mission set a record at the time and thus set the stage for later Apollo missions.
The Apollo 8 mission, launched on December 21, 1968, has gone down in the annals of space exploration by becoming the first manned mission to orbit the Moon. The crew of Frank Borman, James Lovell and William Anders were the first to gaze at Earth from lunar orbit, and they read the biblical account of Genesis in a televised broadcast from space. This historic mission laid the foundation for the success of the Apollo program and boosted public confidence in space exploration.
Following his career as an astronaut, Frank Borman held various leadership positions in the aerospace industry, helping to manage many major space initiatives. His passion for space exploration and his commitment to the safety and success of manned missions have inspired generations of space enthusiasts.
In addition, Frank Borman was one of the first foreign associate members of the French Air and Space Academy (elected in 1983). In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he became an honorary member in 2002.
Frank Borman’s passing is a huge loss to the space community, but his legacy will live on. He leaves behind an indelible mark on the history of space exploration and will continue to inspire future astronauts and space enthusiasts.
A tribute will be paid to him at a future session of the Academy
