Neil Armstrong Biography
Neil Armstrong Biography
(1930–2012)
Astronaut, educator and military pilot, Neil Armstrong made history on July 20,
1969, by becoming the first man to walk on the moon.
1969, by becoming the first man to walk on the moon.
Who Was Neil Armstrong?
Neil Armstrong was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, on August 5, 1930.
After serving in the Korean War and then finishing college, he joined the
organisation that would become NASA. Armstrong entered the
astronaut program in 1962 and was command pilot for his first mission,
Gemini VIII, in 1966. He was spacecraft commander for Apollo 11,
the first manned lunar mission, and became the first man to walk on the moon.
Armstrong died shortly after undergoing heart surgery in Cincinnati,
Ohio, in 2012.
After serving in the Korean War and then finishing college, he joined the
organisation that would become NASA. Armstrong entered the
astronaut program in 1962 and was command pilot for his first mission,
Gemini VIII, in 1966. He was spacecraft commander for Apollo 11,
the first manned lunar mission, and became the first man to walk on the moon.
Armstrong died shortly after undergoing heart surgery in Cincinnati,
Ohio, in 2012.
Military Service
Astronaut Neil Armstrong developed a fascination with flight at an early age
and earned his student pilot's license when he was 16. In 1947,
Armstrong began his studies in aeronautical engineering at Purdue University
on a U.S. Navy scholarship.
and earned his student pilot's license when he was 16. In 1947,
Armstrong began his studies in aeronautical engineering at Purdue University
on a U.S. Navy scholarship.
In 1949, as part of his scholarship, Armstrong trained as a pilot in the Navy.
He began seeing active service in the Korean War two years later, and
went on to fly 78 combat missions during this military conflict.
He began seeing active service in the Korean War two years later, and
went on to fly 78 combat missions during this military conflict.
After earning his release from active duty in 1952, Armstrong returned
to college.
to college.
Joining NASA
A few years later, Armstrong joined the National Advisory Committee for
Aeronautics (NACA), which later became the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA).
For this government agency he worked in a number of different capacities,
including serving as a test pilot and an engineer. He tested many
high-speed aircraft, including the X-15, which could reach a top speed
of 4,000 miles per hour.
Aeronautics (NACA), which later became the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA).
For this government agency he worked in a number of different capacities,
including serving as a test pilot and an engineer. He tested many
high-speed aircraft, including the X-15, which could reach a top speed
of 4,000 miles per hour.
Astronaut Program
In 1962, Armstrong entered the NASA astronaut program. He and his
family moved to Houston, Texas, and Armstrong served as the command pilot
for his first mission, Gemini VIII.
He and fellow astronaut David Scott were launched into the earth's orbit on
March 16, 1966. While in orbit, they were able to briefly dock their space
capsule with the Gemini Agena target vehicle. This was the first time two
vehicles had successfully docked in space.
During this manoeuvre, however, they experienced some problems
and had to cut their mission short. They landed in the Pacific Ocean nearly
11 hours after the mission's start, and were later rescued by the U.S.S. Mason.
family moved to Houston, Texas, and Armstrong served as the command pilot
for his first mission, Gemini VIII.
He and fellow astronaut David Scott were launched into the earth's orbit on
March 16, 1966. While in orbit, they were able to briefly dock their space
capsule with the Gemini Agena target vehicle. This was the first time two
vehicles had successfully docked in space.
During this manoeuvre, however, they experienced some problems
and had to cut their mission short. They landed in the Pacific Ocean nearly
11 hours after the mission's start, and were later rescued by the U.S.S. Mason.
Moon Landing
Armstrong faced an even bigger challenge in 1969. Along with Michael Collins
and Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin, he was part of NASA's first manned mission to
the moon. The trio were launched into space on July 16, 1969. Serving as
the mission's commander, Armstrong piloted the Lunar Module to the moon's
surface on July 20, 1969, with Aldrin aboard. Collins remained on the
Command Module.
and Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin, he was part of NASA's first manned mission to
the moon. The trio were launched into space on July 16, 1969. Serving as
the mission's commander, Armstrong piloted the Lunar Module to the moon's
surface on July 20, 1969, with Aldrin aboard. Collins remained on the
Command Module.
At 10:56 p.m., Armstrong exited the Lunar Module. He said, "That's one small
step for man, one giant leap for mankind," as he made his famous first step
on the moon. For about two and a half hours, Armstrong and Aldrin collected
samples and conducted experiments. They also took photographs, including
their own footprints.
step for man, one giant leap for mankind," as he made his famous first step
on the moon. For about two and a half hours, Armstrong and Aldrin collected
samples and conducted experiments. They also took photographs, including
their own footprints.
Returning on July 24, 1969, the Apollo 11 craft came down in the Pacific
Ocean west of Hawaii. The crew and the craft were picked up by the U.S.S.
Hornet, and the three astronauts were put into quarantine for three weeks.
Ocean west of Hawaii. The crew and the craft were picked up by the U.S.S.
Hornet, and the three astronauts were put into quarantine for three weeks.
Before long, the three Apollo 11 astronauts were given a warm welcome home.
Crowds lined the streets of New York City to cheer on the famous heroes
who were honoured in a ticker-tape parade. Armstrong received numerous
awards for his efforts, including the Medal of Freedom and the Congressional
Space Medal of Honor.
Crowds lined the streets of New York City to cheer on the famous heroes
who were honoured in a ticker-tape parade. Armstrong received numerous
awards for his efforts, including the Medal of Freedom and the Congressional
Space Medal of Honor.
Later Contributions
Armstrong remained with NASA, serving as deputy associate
administrator for aeronautics until 1971. After leaving NASA,
he joined the faculty of the University of Cincinnati as a professor
of aerospace engineering. Armstrong remained at the university for
eight years. Staying active in his field, he served as the chairman
of Computing Technologies for Aviation, Inc., from 1982 to 1992.
administrator for aeronautics until 1971. After leaving NASA,
he joined the faculty of the University of Cincinnati as a professor
of aerospace engineering. Armstrong remained at the university for
eight years. Staying active in his field, he served as the chairman
of Computing Technologies for Aviation, Inc., from 1982 to 1992.
Helping out at a difficult time, Armstrong served as vice chairman
of the Presidential Commission on the space shuttle Challenger
accident in 1986. The commission investigated the explosion of
the Challenger on January 28, 1986, which took the lives of its
crew, including school teacher Christa McAuliffe.
of the Presidential Commission on the space shuttle Challenger
accident in 1986. The commission investigated the explosion of
the Challenger on January 28, 1986, which took the lives of its
crew, including school teacher Christa McAuliffe.
Despite being one of the most famous astronauts in history,
Armstrong has largely shied away from the public eye. In a rare
interview for the news program 60 Minutes in 2005, he described
the moon 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. It's an interesting
place to be. I recommend it."
Armstrong has largely shied away from the public eye. In a rare
interview for the news program 60 Minutes in 2005, he described
the moon 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. It's an interesting
place to be. I recommend it."
Even in his final years, Armstrong remained committed to space exploration.
The press-shy astronaut returned to the spotlight in 2010 to express his
concerns over changes made to the U.S. space program. He testified in
Congress against President Barack Obama's decision to cancel the
Constellation program, which included another mission to the moon.
Obama also sought to encourage private companies to get involved
in the space travel business and to move forward with more unmanned
space missions.
The press-shy astronaut returned to the spotlight in 2010 to express his
concerns over changes made to the U.S. space program. He testified in
Congress against President Barack Obama's decision to cancel the
Constellation program, which included another mission to the moon.
Obama also sought to encourage private companies to get involved
in the space travel business and to move forward with more unmanned
space missions.
Taking this new decision, Armstrong said, would cost the United States
its leadership position in space exploration. "America is respected for
its contributions it has made in learning to sail on this new ocean.
If the leadership we have acquired through our investment is simply
allowed to fade away, other nations will surely step in where we have
faltered. I do not believe that would be in our best interests," he told Congress.
its leadership position in space exploration. "America is respected for
its contributions it has made in learning to sail on this new ocean.
If the leadership we have acquired through our investment is simply
allowed to fade away, other nations will surely step in where we have
faltered. I do not believe that would be in our best interests," he told Congress.
Marriages & Children
Armstrong married Janet Shearon on January 28, 1956. The couple
soon added to their family. Son Eric arrived in 1957, followed by daughter
Karen in 1959. Sadly, Karen died of complications related to an inoperable
brain tumour in January 1962. The following year, the Armstrongs
welcomed their third child, son Mark.
soon added to their family. Son Eric arrived in 1957, followed by daughter
Karen in 1959. Sadly, Karen died of complications related to an inoperable
brain tumour in January 1962. The following year, the Armstrongs
welcomed their third child, son Mark.
Following his divorce from Janet in 1994, Armstrong married his second wife,
Carol Held Knight.
Carol Held Knight.
Death & Controversy
Armstrong underwent a heart bypass operation at a hospital in Cincinnati,
Ohio, in August 2012. Two weeks later, on August 25, 2012, the 82-year-old
Armstrong died of complications from the operation.
Ohio, in August 2012. Two weeks later, on August 25, 2012, the 82-year-old
Armstrong died of complications from the operation.
Shortly after his death, his family released a statement:
"For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil,
we have a simple request. Honor his example of service,
accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk
outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you,
think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink."
"For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil,
we have a simple request. Honor his example of service,
accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk
outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you,
think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink."
News of Armstrong's death quickly spread around the world. Former President
Obama was among those offering tributes to the late space pioneer,
declaring: "Neil was among the greatest of American heroes — not just of
his time, but of all time."
Obama was among those offering tributes to the late space pioneer,
declaring: "Neil was among the greatest of American heroes — not just of
his time, but of all time."
Aldrin added: "I know I am joined by millions of others in mourning the
passing of a true American hero and the best pilot I ever knew. My friend
Neil took the small step but giant leap that changed the world and will
forever be remembered as a landmark moment in human history."
passing of a true American hero and the best pilot I ever knew. My friend
Neil took the small step but giant leap that changed the world and will
forever be remembered as a landmark moment in human history."
In July 2019, shortly after celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the
moon landing, The New York Times reported on a previously unknown
controversy surrounding the astronaut's death. According to The Times,
after Armstrong checked into Mercy Health — Fairfield Hospital with
symptoms of heart disease in August 2012, doctors made a questionable
decision to immediately perform bypass surgery. Afterwards, when the
removal of temporary wires for a pacemaker resulted in internal bleeding,
another questionable move was made to bring Armstrong to a catheterization
lab instead of directly to an operating room.
moon landing, The New York Times reported on a previously unknown
controversy surrounding the astronaut's death. According to The Times,
after Armstrong checked into Mercy Health — Fairfield Hospital with
symptoms of heart disease in August 2012, doctors made a questionable
decision to immediately perform bypass surgery. Afterwards, when the
removal of temporary wires for a pacemaker resulted in internal bleeding,
another questionable move was made to bring Armstrong to a catheterization
lab instead of directly to an operating room.
The hospital eventually reached a $6 million settlement with Armstrong's
surviving family, with the stipulation that the details surrounding the medical
care and settlement remain private.
surviving family, with the stipulation that the details surrounding the medical
care and settlement remain private.
'First Man' Book & Movie
The iconic astronaut's authorised biography, First Man: The Life of Neil A.
Armstrong, was published in 2005. It was written by James R. Hansen,
who conducted interviews with Armstrong, as well as his family, friends
and associates.
Armstrong, was published in 2005. It was written by James R. Hansen,
who conducted interviews with Armstrong, as well as his family, friends
and associates.
The book was later adapted for a biopic, with First Man hitting theatres in 2018.
Directed by Damien Chazelle, the film starred Ryan Gosling as Armstrong,
with Claire Foy, Jason Clarke and Kyle Chandler in supporting roles.
Directed by Damien Chazelle, the film starred Ryan Gosling as Armstrong,
with Claire Foy, Jason Clarke and Kyle Chandler in supporting roles.
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