From the Earth to the Moon (1998)

David Andrews: Frank Borman

Photos 

Quotes 

• Clinton Anderson : [at the senate inquiry following the Apollo 1 fire]  Colonel, what caused the fire? I'm not talking about wires and oxygen. It seems that some people think that NASA pressured North American to meet unrealistic and arbitrary deadlines and that in turn North American allowed safety to be compromised.

  Frank Borman : I won't deny there's been pressure to meet deadlines, but safety has never been intentionally compromised.

  Clinton Anderson : Then what caused the fire?

  Frank Borman : A failure of imagination. We've always known there was the possibility of fire in a spacecraft. But the fear was that it would happen in space, when you're 180 miles from terra firma and the nearest fire station. That was the worry. No one ever imagined it could happen on the ground. If anyone had thought of it, the test would've been classified as hazardous. But it wasn't. We just didn't think of it. Now who's fault is that? Well, it's North American's fault. It's NASA's fault. It's the fault of every person who ever worked on Apollo. It's my fault. I didn't think the test was hazardous. No one did. I wish to God we had.

• [during the Apollo 1 hearings] 

  Clinton Anderson : Now, before we all go home, is there any statement you personally would like to make?

  Frank Borman : I think I'm safe in speaking for all the astronauts when I say that we're confident in our management, we're confident in our training, in our engineering, and in ourselves. The real question is, are you confident in us?

  Clinton Anderson : What do you think we should do, Colonel?

  Frank Borman : I think you should stop this witch hunt and let us go to the Moon.

• [discussing what Neil Armstrong will say when he steps onto the surface of the moon] 

  Frank Borman : What are you guys gonna say?

  Michael Collins : If you had any balls, you'd say "Oh, my God, what is that thing?" then scream and cut your mike.

• Frank Borman : Hey Neil, think John Glenn will be satisfied with just President?

  Neil Armstrong : Glenn for President, huh? Well, that'd depend. Who'd be running for King?

• [During Apollo 8's liftoff] 

  Frank Borman : First stage was smooth, this one's smoother.

  Jim Lovell : Smooth and smoother? Who are you kidding?

  Bill Anders : Yeah, that one felt like we'd been in a train wreck.

  Frank Borman : Kick in the pants, huh?

• [to the Apollo 8 astronauts as they prepare to leave orbit] 

  Michael Collins : You are 'go' for T.L.I., gentlemen. You are 'go' for the Moon.

  Frank Borman : Roger, Houston, Apollo 8 is 'go.'