Borman, Frank

Born Mar. 14, 1928, in Gary, Indiana. US pilot-astronaut, air force colonel.

Upon graduating from the US Military Academy in 1950, Borman became a military pilot. During the years 1951–56 he served in various flight units of the USA. In 1957 he graduated from the California Institute of Technology, and during the years 1957–60 he taught at the US Military Academy. In 1960 he graduated from the USAF Aerospace Research Pilots School and taught there. In 1962 he became a member of the group of astronauts of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Together with J. Lovell he made a space flight as commander of the spacecraft Gemini which was put into orbit Dec. 4,1965, and flew around the earth 206 times in 14 days (330 hours). Together with W. Anders and J. Lovell, he made a flight as commander of the spacecraft Apollo 8. The craft was put into orbit around the earth on Dec. 21,1968, and then set off from it in the direction of the moon. After completing ten orbits around the moon, the craft returned to earth on Dec. 27, 1968.