The story of Frank and Susan Borman is a love story for the ages. Frank, an Air Force major and NASA astronaut who commanded the longest Gemini flight and the first flight around the Moon, and Susan, a beautiful, caring and sensitive astronaut’s wife.

Both understood the meaning of duty and were remarkably successful in carrying out their respective “missions” – Frank’s was to lead the US as they strove to beat the Russians to the Moon; Susan’s was to be a model wife and mother, fully supportive of her husband and his work at NASA.

Their “missions” would take a toll on their lives, but though their love would bend, it would never break. Their marriage was strengthened by Susan’s post-NASA breakdown. She recovered and worked with Frank at Eastern Air Lines and beyond.

Liisa Jorgensen’s new book, “Far Side of the Moon: Apollo 8 Commander Frank Borman and the Woman Who Gave Him Wings” tells the Bormans’ 71-year love story in exquisite detail. I highly recommend the book. It’s a wonderful read, but bring the tissues.

You can hear this, and other episodes, of the Launch Pad Space Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XddmhYfLuXFwMGkpxK33v Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/launch-pad-space-podcast-episode-17-frank-and-susan/id1521502726?i=1000575708781 and Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Launch-Pad-Space-Podcast-Podcast/episodes/B09YTM32ZJ?ref=a_pd_The-La_c3_episodes_view_all&pf_rd_p=625c212d-b95a-47db-8d56-d35a359de6e9&pf_rd_r=6GHWPQTH7AZT4P9TQKFS