Neil Armstrong is most recognized for the role he played in the first walk on the Moon. In this article, you will learn a few facts concerning this exciting milestone in space exploration history, as well as details concerning the end of his space career.
The Apollo 11 mission marked the first time a manned aircraft landed on the Moon. It was also the fifth human space flight associated with the Project Apollo, as well as the third human voyage that make its way to the Moon. In the history of space exploration, the mission additionally included a crew consisting of all veterans in the field.
Launching on July 16th, 1969, Armstrong (a commander at that point) joined Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin. Four days later, Armstrong and Aldrin would become the first humans to land on the Moon, while Collins was in charge of orbiting above. The Apollo 11 mission was significant because it helped President John F Kennedy reach his goal of making it to the Moon by the end of the 1960s.
Below you will find additional facts concerning Armstrong’s mission to the Moon:
1) During the time of the Apollo 11 launch, Armstrong’s heart reached a top rate of 109 beats per minute.
2) When asked about the first stage of the Apollo 11 mission, Armstrong answered that it was much louder than the launch of the Gemini 8 Titan II. He also exclaimed that the Apollo CSM provided more room that the Gemini capsule, which he said was more confining. The issue of space sickness was always a concern for Armstrong, who had a susceptibility to motion sickness when he was a child. It wasn’t uncommon for him to undergo bouts of nausea after experiencing long periods of aerobatics. Luckily, the Apollo 11 crew did not have to deal with getting sick in space.
3) The official NASA flight plan for July 21st 1969 mandated that the crew undergo a rest period before they entered any activity after emerging from the aircraft. However, Armstrong requested that this timeframe be moved up, so that he could go outside earlier in the evening (on Houston time). Before venturing outside, Eagle was depressurized and the hatch opened. Armstrong was the first to go down the ladder and when he was able, placed his left foot on the surface of the Moon and exclaimed: “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”
4) After the first Moon walk took place, Armstrong entered a period of quarantine that lasted for 18 days. This procedure was to make sure that none of the crew was exposed to any infections or diseases while at the Moon.
To learn of other adventures associated with Armstrong after his Apollo 11 travels, check out the next installment in the series titled, “All About Neil Armstrong , After the Moon Walk.”