Genesis: The Story of Apollo 8, the First Manned Flight to Another World Author: Bob Zimmerman Segment 3: The Unsung Heroes: Wives' Sacrifices Under Public Scrutiny

Genesis: The Story of Apollo 8, the First Manned Flight to Another World Author: Bob Zimmerman

Segment 3: The Unsung Heroes: Wives' Sacrifices Under Public Scrutiny



The wives of the Apollo 8 crew—Susan Borman, Marilyn Lovell, and Valerie Anders—were central to the mission's story, facing intense media attention akin to being "under siege" in their "NASA village." Despite the financial strains of middle-class incomes and Valerie Anders raising five children under eight, all three women gave their husbands permission to go. Susan Borman, though supportive, was convinced Frank Borman would die in lunar orbit, needing reassurance from Chris Kraft that the mission had "a 50/50 chance" of success.

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