Astronaut Frank Borman, commander of Apollo 1, died at 95

Frank Borman, an astronaut, passed away. He led Apollo 8 on a momentous trip around the moon on Christmas 1968, which resulted in ten lunar orbits and set the stage for the lunar landing the following year. 95 years old.

NASA reports that Borman passed away in Billings, Montana, on Tuesday.

He was the first member of the Apollo crew to visit the moon and observe Earth from space, along with James Lovell and William Anders.

The Apollo 8 trio was launched on December 21, 1968, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. They traveled to the moon for three days, entering lunar orbit on Christmas Eve. They made ten circles on December 24–25, and on December 27 they left for home.

During a live broadcast from the orbiter on Christmas Eve, the astronauts recited a passage from the Book of Genesis, which begins, "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth." And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.”

"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," said Borman as he concluded the transmission.

President Jimmy Carter awarded him the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

Along with his son Fred, Borman established a cattle ranch in Bighorn, Montana, in 1998. He also left behind Edwin, another son, and their families in addition to Fred.