[Apollo 8] Iconic portrait of the first crew departing for another world:...

[Apollo 8] Iconic portrait of the first crew departing for another world: astronauts Frank Borman, James Lovell and William Anders. NASA, 13 November 1968. Printed 1968. Vintage chromogenic print on fiber-based Kodak paper [NASA image S-68–50255]. 20.3×25.4 cm (8×10 in), with NASA caption and “A Kodak Paper” watermarks on the verso, numbered “NASA S-68–50255” in red top margin (NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston, Texas).

Literature: Newsweek, 30 December 1968, TO THE MOON, cover; Apollo Expeditions to the Moon (NASA SP-350), Cortright, ed., chapter 8.1.

A famous photograph of the first human beings who left Planet Earth. The crew of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s first manned lunar voyage was scheduled to venture beyond Earth orbit for the first time, cross the vast translunar gulf and circle the Moon ten times to conduct navigational and photographic exercises.

James Lovell and Frank Borman were members of NASA’s Astronauts Group 2, also known as the New Nine, selected on September 17, 1962. William Anders was a member of NASA’s Astronaut Group 3, a group of fourteen astronauts selected in October 1963.

[NASA caption] The Apollo 8 crew stands beside the Apollo Mission Simulator at the Kennedy Space Center after suiting up for simulation training in the simulator in preparzation for the scheduled Apollo 8 lunar orbit mission. Left to right, are James Lovell, Command Module Pilot; William Anders, Lunar Module Pilot; and Frank Borman, Commander.

“It was an exploration mission. We took the human intellect and the human vision, the human mind, 240,000 miles away from its home. That was the importance. Whether we found a rock there or not was of no importance.” Frank Borman (Chaikin, Voices, p. 184).

Condition Report:Excellent condition.

Please notice: Supplementary material not included.

Category:Photos ▸ Vintage photographs