The First Man on The Moon
On July 20, 1969, history was made when Neil Armstrong became the first man to step onto the moon. The world watched in awe as Armstrong uttered the famous words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." But who was the second man on the moon?
Buzz Aldrin
The second man on the moon was Buzz Aldrin. Born on January 20, 1930, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, Aldrin was a member of the Apollo 11 mission that landed on the moon in 1969. He served as the lunar module pilot, while Armstrong was the mission commander and the first man to step onto the moon.
Aldrin's Life Before The Moon Landing
Aldrin had an impressive career before the moon landing. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1951 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He went on to earn a Doctor of Science degree in Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1963. Aldrin was also a decorated Air Force fighter pilot who flew combat missions in Korea during the Korean War.
The Moon Landing Mission
The Apollo 11 mission was launched on July 16, 1969, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The spacecraft consisted of three parts: the Command Module, the Service Module, and the Lunar Module. The Lunar Module was the spacecraft that landed on the moon, and it was piloted by Aldrin.
Stepping Onto The Moon
Aldrin followed Armstrong out of the Lunar Module and onto the surface of the moon. He described the experience as "magnificent desolation." Aldrin and Armstrong spent about two and a half hours outside the Lunar Module, collecting samples, taking photographs, and conducting experiments.
Return to Earth
After spending a total of 21 hours and 36 minutes on the moon, Aldrin and Armstrong returned to the Lunar Module and began the journey back to Earth. They successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on July 24, 1969.
Life After The Moon Landing
Aldrin continued to have a successful career after the moon landing. He left NASA in 1971 and went on to write several books, including his autobiography, "Return to Earth." He also made appearances on television shows and became an advocate for space exploration.
Conclusion
Buzz Aldrin may not be as famous as Neil Armstrong, but he played a crucial role in the Apollo 11 mission and became the second man to step onto the moon. His bravery and dedication to space exploration have inspired countless people around the world.