Frank Borman

Frank Borman (born March 14, 1928) was a NASA astronaut, best remembered as one of the three crewmembers of Apollo 8, the first mission to fly around the Moon.

Related Topics:
March 14 - 1928 - NASA - Astronaut - Apollo 8 - Moon

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Borman was born in Gary, Indiana, and started to fly at the age of 15. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1950, and joined the U.S. Air Force thereafter. He was selected for the second NASA astronaut group in 1962.

Related Topics:
Gary, Indiana - United States Military Academy - 1950 - U.S. Air Force - 1962

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His first spaceflight was Gemini 7 in 1965, highlighted by the first space rendezvous with Gemini 6A. His most significant flight was as commander of the Apollo 8 mission in December 1968. The mission was originally planned as a Saturn V powered 'Large Earth Orbit' mission to test tracking and communication, but it was changed into the first lunar orbit mission in NASA's (successful) attempt to land a man on the moon before the end of 1969.

Related Topics:
Gemini 7 - 1965 - Rendezvous - Gemini 6A - 1968 - Saturn V

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Borman retired from NASA and the Air Force in 1970, becoming special advisor to Eastern Airlines. He rose in the ranks of Eastern, becoming CEO in December 1975. The airline business underwent many changes in the late 1970s, and Eastern did well under Borman, reporting the four most profitable years in company history during his tenure. Borman retired from Eastern in 1986.

Related Topics:
1970 - Eastern Airlines - CEO - 1975 - Airline - 1970s - 1986

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Borman currently enjoys rebuilding and flying airplanes from World War II and the Korean era. His current favorite airplane is a dual control TF-51 Mustang.

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