Gemini VII Astronaut Frank Borman FL Weight Test 1965 - Original NASA Photo

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Gemini VII Astronaut Frank Borman FL Weight Test 1965 - Original NASA Photo:
$100.00

An original 8x10" vintage photo (NOT a modern reprint) from a very large collection of rare original NASA photographs that originated from the estate of an engineer who worked at NASA through the early space programs.

Photo Overview

This striking 8x10 NASA press photograph captures astronaut Frank Borman, command pilot for the Gemini VII mission, photographed during weight and balance tests at Merritt Island Launch Area, Florida in November 1965. Borman is shown close-up, smiling confidently, wearing his white flight helmet with communications equipment and harness straps visible. The image radiates the calm confidence of one of America's most accomplished astronauts on the eve of one of NASA's most ambitious missions.

Gemini VII launched on December 4, 1965, with Frank Borman and pilot Jim Lovell aboard. The mission's primary goal was to demonstrate that humans could endure 14 days in space - the duration estimated necessary for a lunar mission. This was a landmark NASA achievement and one of the most important milestones on the road to the Moon.

Historical Notes

Gemini VII achieved its historic 14-day orbital mission successfully, proving human endurance in space for the duration required for a lunar landing mission. During the flight, Borman and Lovell rendezvoused with Gemini VI-A (crewed by Wally Schirra and Tom Stafford), completing the first orbital rendezvous in spaceflight history on December 15, 1965 - a critical stepping stone toward Apollo. Frank Borman went on to command Apollo 8 in December 1968, leading the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon and delivering the famous Christmas Eve broadcast from lunar orbit. He later served as CEO of Eastern Air Lines. Borman passed away on November 7, 2023, making this an especially meaningful historical artifact.

Text Present

Back of photo - NASA letterhead stamp (purple ink):
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
400 MARYLAND AVENUE, S.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20546

FOR RELEASE: Filed November 8, 1965
PHOTO NO.: 65-H-1717

Caption text (back):
"Merritt Island Launch Area, Fla. - Gemini VII astronaut Frank Borman, command pilot for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's planned 14 day orbital mission is photographed during weight and balance tests."

Bottom of back:
PHOTO CREDIT - NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Condition

In good to very good vintage condition. Please see scans of the image we have provided for the most accurate and complete state of the photo.