Neil Armstrong died at 82 years old
U.S. astronaut Neil Armstrong died today at 82 years of age. It was the first human to walk on the surface of the Moon as commander of Apollo 11 on the first manned lunar mission in history. One of his most famous was “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Armstrong space race began in 1962, but previously had trained as a naval aviator and participated in the Korean War. He then studied aeronautical engineering at Purdue University in 1955 and later became a test pilot. After joining NASA, he participated in the Gemini and Apollo programs.
On July 16, 1969 began its journey to the moon along with Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Michael Collins, and on July 21 along with Aldrin spent three hours on the lunar surface collecting stones, planting the U.S. flag , taking pictures and even made a call to President Richard Nixon.
Armstrong did not return to go to the moon. On his return he continued working at NASA for a year, then became a professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Cincinnati, where he lived with his wife until now.
Neil Armstrong’s trip was a milestone, and his feat inspired millions of people around the world to learn about science and space exploration. “Thanks for showing us the power of a small step,” he said on Twitter the U.S. president, Barack Obama.
Buzz Aldrin also reminded his colleague. “Neil and I train together as technical partners but also good friends we were always connected by our participation in Apollo 11. Every time I look at the Moon I remember that moment more than four decades ago when I realized that although we were further away from Earth than any human had been before, we were not alone, “he told Buzzfeed
Meanwhile, the family sent a message stating that although they are saddened by his departure, celebrate the remarkable life that took Armstrong. “The next time you go on a clear night and see the moon smiling at you, think of Neil Armstrong and Wink an eye,” they said.Apollo 11, Moon, NASA, Neil Armstrong