Who Was Neil Armstrong?
Neil Armstrong, born on August 5, 1930, in Wapakoneta, Ohio, was an American astronaut, aeronautical engineer, and the first person to walk on the moon. After serving in the Korean War and completing his college education, he joined NASA, playing a pivotal role in space exploration. Armstrong’s first mission as command pilot was Gemini VIII in 1966, and he later made history as the spacecraft commander for Apollo 11 in 1969. Armstrong passed away in 2012 following complications from heart surgery in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Military Service
Armstrong’s passion for flight began early, earning his student pilot’s license at just 16 years old. In 1947, he started his studies in aeronautical engineering at Purdue University under a U.S. Navy scholarship. His military career took off in 1949 when he began training as a Navy pilot, leading him to fly 78 combat missions during the Korean War. After being released from active duty in 1952, Armstrong returned to finish his degree.
Joining NASA
Armstrong’s career in aviation and space exploration advanced when he joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which would later become NASA. His roles varied, including working as a test pilot and engineer. Among his notable work was testing high-speed aircraft such as the X-15, which could reach speeds of up to 4,000 miles per hour.
Astronaut Program
In 1962, Armstrong joined NASA’s astronaut program, moving with his family to Houston, Texas. His first space mission was as command pilot for Gemini VIII in 1966. During this mission, Armstrong and fellow astronaut David Scott became the first to successfully dock two spacecraft in orbit. However, due to technical difficulties, they had to cut the mission short, safely landing in the Pacific Ocean 11 hours after launch and being rescued by the U.S.S. Mason.
Moon Landing
Neil Armstrong faced one of the greatest challenges of his career in 1969. Along with astronauts Michael Collins and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, Armstrong participated in NASA’s historic Apollo 11 mission—the first manned mission to the moon. The spacecraft launched on July 16, 1969, and Armstrong, as mission commander, piloted the Lunar Module to the moon’s surface on July 20, 1969, with Aldrin aboard, while Collins remained in the Command Module orbiting the moon.
At 10:56 p.m. (EDT), Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the lunar surface, marking the momentous occasion with his iconic words: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Armstrong and Aldrin spent approximately two and a half hours on the moon, conducting experiments, collecting samples, and taking photographs, including images of their footprints. The mission concluded successfully on July 24, 1969, when the Apollo 11 spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii. The astronauts were retrieved by the U.S.S. Hornet and immediately placed into quarantine for three weeks as a precaution.
Upon their return, Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins were celebrated as national heroes. New York City hosted a grand ticker-tape parade in their honor, and Armstrong received numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
Later Contributions
After the Apollo 11 mission, Armstrong continued his work at NASA, serving as Deputy Associate Administrator for Aeronautics until 1971. Following his departure from NASA, he joined the University of Cincinnati as a professor of aerospace engineering, where he taught for eight years. Armstrong remained active in aerospace, later serving as chairman of Computing Technologies for Aviation, Inc., from 1982 to 1992.
In 1986, Armstrong was appointed vice chairman of the Presidential Commission investigating the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, which tragically claimed the lives of seven crew members, including teacher Christa McAuliffe.
Despite his status as one of the most famous astronauts in history, Armstrong avoided the spotlight. In a rare 2005 interview on 60 Minutes, he described the moon’s landscape to interviewer Ed Bradley: “It’s a brilliant surface in that sunlight. The horizon seems quite close to you because the curvature is so much more pronounced than here on Earth.”
Armstrong remained deeply invested in space exploration. In 2010, he publicly opposed President Barack Obama’s decision to cancel NASA’s Constellation program, which had included plans for a return mission to the moon. He warned that reducing the U.S.’s leadership in space exploration would allow other nations to take the lead, a development he believed would not serve the country’s best interests.
‘First Man’ Book and Movie
In 2005, Armstrong’s authorized biography, First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong, was published, written by James R. Hansen. The biography, based on interviews with Armstrong and those closest to him, was adapted into a feature film in 2018. Directed by Damien Chazelle, First Man starred Ryan Gosling as Armstrong and featured Claire Foy, Jason Clarke, and Kyle Chandler in supporting roles.
Personal Life
Armstrong married Janet Shearon on January 28, 1956, and the couple had three children: sons Eric and Mark, and daughter Karen, who tragically died from complications related to a brain tumor in 1962. After divorcing Janet in 1994, Armstrong married Carol Held Knight.
Death & Controversy
In August 2012, Armstrong underwent heart bypass surgery. Just two weeks later, on August 25, 2012, the 82-year-old astronaut passed away due to complications from the procedure. His family released a statement encouraging people to honor Armstrong’s life by looking at the moon and “giving him a wink.”
Tributes poured in from around the world, including from President Obama, who called Armstrong “one of the greatest of American heroes.” Buzz Aldrin also paid tribute to his friend, saying: “Neil took the small step but giant leap that changed the world.”
In 2019, shortly after the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, The New York Times revealed a controversy surrounding Armstrong’s death. The report detailed a settlement between the hospital where Armstrong had undergone surgery and his family, concerning questionable medical decisions made during his treatment. The hospital agreed to a $6 million settlement, with the terms remaining confidential.
Armstrong’s legacy as a pioneer in space exploration endures, a testament to his historic achievements and his lifelong commitment to advancing human understanding of the cosmos.