Frank Bormanthe astronaut POT at the forefront of the mission Apollo 8died at age 95 in Billings, Montana.

The Apollo 8 mission is known as the first in which a manned spacecraft left Earth, orbited the moon and ultimately returned to the planet. It was the first time humans left Earth’s orbit.

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It was during this expedition that the impressive photo of our planet was taken hanging above the moon’s surface. The image was captured by Willem Andersone of two astronauts who accompanied Borman on the mission.

Photo taken during the Apollo 8 mission. Photo: NASA

This image is the first color photograph of Earth from space.

Bill NelsonNASA administrator since 2021, Borman described as “one of NASA’s best” and “a true American hero.”

“His lifelong love of aviation and exploration was surpassed only by his love for his wife Susan,” Nelson added.

On its website, NASA recalls that Borman began his career as an officer in the United States Air Forcewhere he served as a fighter pilot, operations pilot, test pilot and assistant professor before being selected by NASA as an astronaut.

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“In addition to his critical role as commander of the Apollo 8 mission, he is a Gemini 7 veteran, spending 14 days in low Earth orbit and leading the first encounter in space, coming within feet of the Gemini 6 spacecraft is coming,” says NASA. indicated. (JO)