50 years of Apollo 11 landing on the Moon

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, lunar module pilot, stands on the surface of the moon near the leg of the lunar module, Eagle, during the Apollo 11 moonwalk. Astronaut Neil Armstrong, mission commander, took this photograph with a 70mm lunar surface camera. Credit: NASA.

On July 20, 1969, Apollo Lunar Module landed on the Moon, at 20:17 UTC Commander Neil Armstrong was the first person to set foot on another celestial body of the Solar System, it was followed by lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin, two Americans whom represented the human race. Previously the Apollo 11 was launched by a Saturn V rocket from Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida, on July 16 at 13:32 UTC. 

The Apollo 11 Saturn V space vehicle lifts off with astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., at 9:32 a.m. EDT July 16, 1969, from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39ACredit: NASA. Credit: NASA.

The Apollo 11 lunar landing mission crew, pictured from left to right, Neil A. Armstrong, commander; Michael Collins, command module pilot; and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., lunar module pilot. Credit: NASA.

This NASA's Apollo program spacecraft had three parts: a command module (CM) with a cabin for the three astronauts, and the only part that returned to Earth; a service module (SM), which supported the command module with propulsion, electrical power, oxygen, and water; and a lunar module (LM) that had two stages – a descent stage for landing on the Moon, and an ascent stage to place the astronauts back into lunar orbit. 

The Apollo 11 Command and Service Modules (CSM) are photographed from the Lunar Module (LM) in lunar orbit during the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. Credit: NASA.

The Eagle, the lunar module ascent stage of Apollo 11, in orbit above the Moon. Earth is visible in the distance. Photograph by Michael Collins. Credit: NASA.

Neil and Buzz spent about two hours and a quarter together outside the spacecraft, and collected 21.5 kg of lunar material to bring back to Earth, conducting a series of experiments there, such the Passive Seismic Experiment, or the Laser Ranging Retroreflector. On orbit around the moon on the command module Columbia was Command module pilot Michael Collins waiting to dock with the two astronauts later, they spent 21 hours 31 minutes on the lunar surface at a site they named Tranquility Base before lifting off to dock with Columbia in lunar orbit. 

Neil Armstrong works at the LM in the only photo taken of him on the moon from the surface. Credit: NASA.

Buzz Aldrin removing the passive seismometer from a compartment in the Lunar Lander. Credit: NASA.

The Passive Seismic Experiment on the surface of the Moon. Crédito: NASA.

A mockup of the Laser Ranging Retroreflector experiment on the Science Museum of London. Credit: Joaquin Galán.

Much has been said lately regarding a return to the Moon by NASA, truth is that half a century has passed since we achieved this important goal of exploration for humankind and if we want to be a spacefaring civilization to reach other objectives, such Mars, and to be able to survive what the universe has to throw at us in terms of dangers, like asteroids or meteor impacts, and to conquer space and leave this planet, then, we will need first to master the moon, so a return to our celestial companion is due. In the meantime, lets us celebrate this historical moment. 

    

A mockup of the Apollo Lunar Module on the Museum of Science of London. Credit: Joaquín Galán.

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, lunar module pilot, stands on the surface of the moon near the leg of the lunar module, Eagle, during the Apollo 11 moonwalk. Astronaut Neil Armstrong, mission commander, took this photograph with a 70mm lunar surface camera. Credit: NASA.

Apollo 11 Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin's bootprint. Credit: NASA.

Panorama view of Apollo 11 Lunar surface photos taken by Astronaut Neil Armstrong at Tranquility Base of a crater Armstrong noted during the Lunar Module descent. Credit: NASA.

Sources: Wikipedia, NASA,