Who Is Frank Borman? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on March 14, 1928, Frank Borman was an illustrious American astronaut known for his pivotal role in the Apollo program. He passed away in 2023, but his contributions to space exploration continue to inspire. Borman flew on the Gemini 7 mission, where he paved the way for future lunar exploration, and commanded the historic Apollo 8 mission, becoming one of the first humans to orbit the Moon. His incredible achievements have earned him recognition as one of the key figures in NASA's history.
| Occupation | Autobiographer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 14, 1928 |
| Age | 95 Years |
| Birth Place | Gary, Indiana, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | India |
| Date of death | 7 November, 2023 |
| Died Place | Billings, Montana, U.S. |
Popularity
Frank Borman's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Despite his passing, Frank Borman was noted for his slender stature during his active years. He stood approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall and weighed around 170 pounds (77 kg). Borman maintained good physical fitness throughout his career, an essential aspect for astronauts during rigorous missions.
Borman argued with test pilot Scott Crossfield, who was in charge of safety engineering at North American, over the design of an effective emergency oxygen system. Borman refused to accept the design because it did not protect the crew from noxious fumes.
Crossfield then opposed the delivery of North American's S-II, the second stage of the Saturn V Moon rocket, which Crossfield deemed unsafe. Borman informed management at North American that he could not work with Crossfield, and Crossfield eventually left the company.
A redesigned hatch that allowed the astronauts to exit within seconds instead of minutes added 1500 lb to the weight of the spacecraft. The parachutes had to be redesigned to ensure they could hold the additional weight, and re-testing them cost $250,000. This led to a clash with George Mueller, who thought the cost was excessive.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Frank Borman was married to his beloved wife, Susan Borman, for over six decades. Their marriage was marked by mutual support, particularly as they navigated the challenges and triumphs of Borman's space career. Together, they had three children, who have carried on Borman's legacy and contributed to various fields.
He was of German descent. His great-grandfather Christopher Borman immigrated from Germany in the late 19th century and worked as a tuba player in a traveling circus.
Because he suffered from numerous sinus and mastoid problems in the cold and damp weather, his family moved to the better climate of Tucson, Arizona, which Borman considered his hometown. His father bought a lease on a Mobil service station.
Net Worth and Salary
By the time of his passing in 2023, Frank Borman's estimated net worth was around $10 million. His income came from various sources, including his military and NASA salaries, as well as business ventures following his retirement from space exploration. Borman's investment strategies also contributed to his financial success over the years.
After retiring from NASA and the Air Force in 1970, Borman became senior vice president for operations at Eastern Air Lines. He became chief executive officer of Eastern in 1975, and chairman of the board in 1976.
Under his leadership, Eastern went through the four most profitable years in its history, but airline deregulation and the additional debt that it took on to purchase new aircraft led to pay cuts and layoffs, and ultimately to conflict with unions, resulting in his resignation in 1986.
He moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he ran a Ford dealership with his son, Fred. In 1998, they bought a cattle ranch in Bighorn, Montana.
Career, Business and Investments
Frank Borman's career spanned beyond his time as an astronaut. After retiring from NASA, he became the CEO of Eastern Air Lines, leading the company through a significant period in aviation history. His expertise in management and operations showcased his versatility and leadership skills. Additionally, throughout his life, he was involved in various investments, particularly in the aerospace sector, emphasizing his enduring passion for aviation.
Borman entered West Point on July 1, 1946, with the Class of 1950. It was a difficult year to enter. Many members of the class were older than he, and had seen active service in World War II. Hazing by the upperclassmen was common. Another challenge was learning how to swim.
He tried out for the plebe football team; his skills were insufficient, but head coach Earl Blaik took him on as an assistant manager. In his final year, Borman was a cadet captain, commanding his company, and manager of the varsity football team.
Social Network
Frank Borman maintained a relatively low social media profile, reflecting his preference for privacy regarding his personal life. However, his legacy continues to be celebrated on platforms like NASA's official channels, where numerous posts highlight his contributions and missions. Fans and admirers often pay tribute to his accomplishments through various online communities dedicated to space exploration.
Borman moved with his family to Houston, Texas, where the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC) was still being established, and signed his first home construction contract, for $26,500.
Following the precedent set by the Mercury Seven, each of the Nine was assigned a special area in which to develop expertise that could be shared with the others, and to provide astronaut input to the designers and engineers. Borman's assignment was the Titan II booster used by Project Gemini, although he had no experience in that area.
The assignment involved many trips to the Martin Marietta plants in Denver, Colorado, and Baltimore, Maryland, where the Titan IIs were built. His responsibility included the Emergency Detection System (EDS) developed for an abort situation.
Borman agreed with Wernher von Braun that reliance would have to be placed on automated systems in situations where human reaction time would not be fast enough. This was much to the consternation of old hands like Warren J.
North, the NASA Chief of the Flight Crew Support Division, who did not accept the notion that an automated system was superior to the skill of a human being.
Education
Borman graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1950, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the California Institute of Technology. This academic background laid the groundwork for his exceptional career in aviation and space exploration.
Frank Frederick Borman II (March 14, 1928 – November 7, 2023) was an American United States Air Force (USAF) colonel, aeronautical engineer, NASA astronaut, test pilot, and businessman.
He was the commander of Apollo 8, the first mission to fly around the Moon, and together with crewmates Jim Lovell and William Anders, became the first of 24 humans to do so, for which he was awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
