Yorktown in the Pacific Ocean. Photographed from left to right are Jim Lovell (1928-), Frank Borman (1928-), and William Anders (1933-), who had just completed the first mission orbiting the Moon. Apollo 8 was the first manned launch of a Saturn V booster and mission to leave Earth orbit. It launched on December 21, 1968, with Commander Borman, Command Module Pilot Lovell, and Lunar Module Pilot Anders. Apollo 8 was the first manned spacecraft to leave Earth's orbit, reach the Moon, and orbit and return safely to Earth. The crew became the first humans to travel beyond low Earth orbit, to see Earth as a whole planet, to directly see the far side of the Moon, and to witness Earthrise.]]> Chronopoints]]> Florida Space Coast History Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Florida Space Coast History Project and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.]]> Chronopoints]]> Dr. Calvin Fowler Collection, Florida Space Coast History Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.]]>