EAA Museum Showcases NASA Moon Mission Artifacts Before Artemis II Launch

Oshkosh museum highlights historic items from astronaut Frank Borman's personal collection ahead of upcoming lunar mission.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 9:41pm

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A highly structured abstract painting in muted tones of blue, green, and gold, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric planetary circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex forces and scientific concepts behind space exploration.As NASA prepares to launch the next chapter of lunar exploration, an abstract visual tribute to the personal stories and scientific triumphs of past American space missions.Oshkosh Today

As NASA prepares for the upcoming Artemis II lunar mission, the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin is highlighting artifacts from past American space voyages, including items from astronaut Frank Borman's personal collection. The museum's Borman Collection features items he used during the historic Apollo 8 mission, the first time humans orbited the moon.

Why it matters

The EAA Museum's Borman Collection provides a unique opportunity for the public to connect with the history of space exploration, just as NASA embarks on the next chapter of lunar missions with Artemis II. By showcasing these personal artifacts, the museum helps bring the triumphs and challenges of past moon missions to life.

The details

The Borman Collection includes items such as the Apollo 8 flight plan, a flashlight used by Borman during the mission, and a brass replica of the fuel cell that powered the Service Module. One of the most poignant items is a piece of beta cloth that Borman had printed with a photo of his wife Susan, which he kept with him throughout the mission.

  • The Borman Collection exhibit at the EAA Museum opened on March 31, 2026.
  • Artemis II is expected to launch on Wednesday, April 2, 2026.

The players

Frank Borman

An American astronaut who flew on the historic Apollo 8 mission, the first time humans orbited the moon. Borman's personal collection of space artifacts is on display at the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Jim Lovell

A Wisconsin-raised astronaut who joined Borman on the Apollo 8 mission, the first time humans left lower Earth orbit and orbited the moon.

Chris Henry

The director of the EAA Aviation Museum, which houses the Borman Collection of space artifacts.

Susan Borman

The wife of astronaut Frank Borman, whose photo he carried with him on the Apollo 8 mission.

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What they’re saying

“That was the first time mankind had ever left lower Earth orbit. Artemis II is the first time we're leaving lower Earth orbit in a long time. So it's very exciting, and that's why people are so excited about it is it is a mission very similar to Apollo 8.”

— Chris Henry, EAA Museum Director

“One of the items that I think is the most special is a piece of beta cloth that he had printed his wife's picture on, Susan. And he put her in his pocket. He never took her out of his pocket because he said he didn't want her to distract him from the mission, but he just wanted to have her with him.”

— Chris Henry, EAA Museum Director

What’s next

Artemis II is expected to launch on Wednesday, April 2, 2026, beginning a 10-day mission that will take the astronauts farther from Earth than any humans have traveled since the Apollo 17 mission.

The takeaway

The EAA Museum's Borman Collection serves as a poignant reminder of the human stories behind America's historic moon missions, just as NASA prepares to embark on the next chapter of lunar exploration with the Artemis program. By preserving these personal artifacts, the museum helps connect modern audiences with the triumphs and challenges faced by the pioneering astronauts who paved the way.