Neil Armstrong

Neil Alden Armstrong (August 5, 1930 – August 25, 2012) was an American astronaut and aeronautical engineer. He became famous as the commander of the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, making him the first person to walk on the Moon. Before becoming an astronaut, Armstrong was a naval aviator, a test pilot, and a university professor.

Armstrong was born and raised near Wapakoneta, Ohio. He studied aeronautical engineering at Purdue University, and served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He later became a test pilot and joined the NASA Astronaut Corps in 1962.

On July 20, 1969, Armstrong and fellow astronaut Buzz Aldrin landed on the Moon, with Michael Collins staying in orbit. When Armstrong first stepped onto the lunar surface, he said, "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind." This moment was watched by millions of people around the world. After leaving NASA in 1971, Armstrong taught engineering at the University of Cincinnati and served on important space investigation committees.

Early life and education

Neil Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930, in Washington Township, in Auglaize County, Ohio. He grew up moving around Ohio with his family. From a very young age, Armstrong loved flying. His father took him to watch airplane races and even let him experience a flight in a Ford Trimotor when he was just five or six years old. He built and flew model airplanes as a child.

When he turned 16, Armstrong earned his student flight certificate and flew on his own before he could even drive. He later attended Blume High School in Wapakoneta. In 1947, at age 17, he began studying aeronautical engineering at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. His education included time in the U.S. Navy as part of his training program.

Naval service

Neil Armstrong joined the Navy in 1949 and began flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida. He became a midshipman and learned to fly using a North American SNJ trainer. In 1950, he earned the title of naval aviator.

Armstrong served on the aircraft carrier USS Cabot and later joined VF-51, an all-jet squadron. He saw action during the Korean War and flew a total of 78 missions over Korea. After the war, he continued to fly with the Navy Reserve until 1960.

College years

After serving in the Navy, Neil Armstrong returned to Purdue University, where he improved his grades and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1955. He joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, participated in student musicals, and was chairman of the Purdue Aero Flying Club.

Armstrong later completed a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Southern California in 1970. He married Janet Elizabeth Shearon in 1956, and the couple had three children.

Test pilot

After finishing school, Neil Armstrong became a test pilot. He first flew for research on March 1, 1955, and soon moved to a special flight station where he tested many different airplanes.

Armstrong flew over 200 kinds of aircraft during his career. He was one of only eight pilots to work on a special paraglider research project. His work included flying very fast planes and even some rocket-powered aircraft, showing great skill and knowledge of how airplanes work.

Astronaut career

In June 1958, Armstrong was selected for the U.S. Air Force's Man in Space Soonest program, but it was canceled and replaced by Project Mercury, a civilian project run by NASA. Armstrong, as a NASA civilian test pilot, was ineligible to become an astronaut at this time because selection was restricted to military test pilots. In November 1960, he joined the pilot consultant group for the X-20 Dyna-Soar, a military space plane under development.

In April 1962, NASA sought applications for astronauts for Project Gemini, a two-man spacecraft. Armstrong applied and was selected by NASA in September 1962 as part of the second group of astronauts, known as the New Nine.

Gemini program

Armstrong and Elliot See were chosen as the backup crew for Gemini 5, which aimed to practice space rendezvous and develop procedures for a seven-day flight. Gemini 5 launched in August 1965 and was successful despite a problem with the fuel cells.

Armstrong became the first American civilian in space as part of the Gemini 8 mission in March 1966. The mission aimed to dock with an uncrewed Agena target vehicle and include the first American spacewalk. During the mission, the spacecraft began to roll uncontrollably, and Armstrong had to use the Reentry Control System to stabilize it, resulting in an early end to the mission.

In his final Gemini assignment, Armstrong served as the backup Command Pilot for Gemini 11.

Apollo program

On January 27, 1967, the day of the Apollo 1 fire, Armstrong was in Washington, D.C. with other astronauts.

Armstrong served as backup commander for Apollo 8. On May 6, 1968, during training in a Lunar Landing Research Vehicle, Armstrong ejected safely before the vehicle crashed.

Apollo 11

Armstrong was named commander of Apollo 11 on December 23, 1968. The mission launched on July 16, 1969. On July 20, 1969, Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the Moon. Armstrong became the first person to step onto the lunar surface, famously saying, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

After exploring the Moon’s surface, the crew returned to Earth and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. The astronauts were then honored with parades and celebrations worldwide.

Life after Apollo

After Apollo 11, Neil Armstrong decided not to fly in space again. He left NASA in 1971 and began teaching aerospace engineering at the University of Cincinnati. There, he taught many classes and created new courses, becoming known as a dedicated teacher.

Armstrong also took part in important space investigations. He helped review the Apollo 13 mission and later joined the Rogers Commission to examine the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. He also worked on plans for future space travel. In addition to his teaching and investigations, Armstrong served on the boards of several companies and took part in special expeditions. Despite his fame, Armstrong preferred a quiet life and rarely gave interviews or public appearances.

Personal life

Neil Armstrong was approached by both the Democratic and Republican parties to pursue political careers, but he declined. He supported states' rights and did not want the U.S. to act as the "world's policeman". Armstrong enjoyed flying light aircraft, especially gliders, and had earned a gold badge from the International Gliding Commission before his moon flight.

Armstrong married his first wife, Janet, in 1956, but they separated in 1990 and divorced in 1994. He later married Carol Held Knight in 1994, and they lived in Indian Hill, Ohio.

Illness and death

Neil Armstrong underwent bypass surgery in August 2012 to treat a heart condition. Although he seemed to be recovering, he developed complications and passed away later that month. Leaders and fellow astronauts honored him for his remarkable achievements and contributions to space exploration.

A private tribute was held for Armstrong, and his family asked people to remember him by following his example of service, accomplishment, and modesty.

Legacy

See also: Statue of Neil Armstrong (Los Angeles)

When Pete Conrad of Apollo 12 became the third person to walk on the Moon, he paid tribute to Armstrong with his first words from the lunar surface.

Armstrong received many awards for his achievements, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. He was honored by being elected to prestigious groups such as the National Academy of Engineering and the American Philosophical Society.

Many places and things are named after Armstrong. There are schools, streets, and buildings named for him, including the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in his hometown of Wapakoneta. The NASA Dryden Flight Research Center was renamed the NASA Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center in 2014. In 2012, the U.S. Navy named a research ship RV Neil Armstrong after him. His authorized biography, First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong, was published in 2005 and later made into a film.