NASA Pays Last Respect To Apollo Astronaut Frank Borman

Ket. photo: Former NASA astronaut Frank Borman passed away (photo: dock. NASA)

JAKARTA Administrator of the United States Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) Bill Nelson announced that former astronaut Frank Borman died on November 7.

Nelson said that the former NASA astronaut and retired soldier closed his age in Billings, Montana at the age of 95. Borman's death is the second sad news this month, following former astronaut Thomas K. Mattingly.

Just like Mattingly, Borman took part in the Apollo program, namely the mission of landing humans on the Moon from 1961 to 1975. Borman was the commander on the Apollo 8 mission and was named one of NASA's true heroes.

Prior to joining NASA, Borman was an officer in the US Air Force. Nelson said that Borman loved the world of aviation and space exploration so much that he was finally elected as an astronaut.

His love of flying proved important through his position as a fighter pilot, operational pilot, test pilot, and assistant professor. His extraordinary experience and expertise made him selected by NASA," Nelson said.

In addition to participating in the Apollo 8 mission, Borman also briefly joined the NASA Gemini project to learn how to survive and work while in space. Through the Gemini 7 project, Borman spent 14 days in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

After leaving NASA, Borman continued his love for the world of aviation by joining one of the airlines in the United States. He became CEO of Eastern Airlines from 1975 to 1986.

All of Borman's performance during his lifetime will always be respected by NASA. According to Nelson, the spirit of Borman will motivate the next month's landing and exploration missions through the Artemis program.

"Frank knows how great the power of exploration is in uniting mankind when he says, Exploration is truly at the heart of the human soul. Service to NASA and our country will undoubtedly encourage the Artemis Generation to reach a new cosmic beach," concluded Nelson.